2020 was the third consecutive hot, dry vintage. Fortunately for Tesch, more than 16 (of its 23) ha of vines are over 50 years old and so have the deep root systems to reach water. The young vines did have to be irrigated.
Recognizing that climate change is here for good, Martin Tesch has been doing work in the vineyards to deal with it. In the past, the vineyard work was intended to achieve maximum ripeness, but now, for example, more leaves are left to give more shade by, for example, not cutting the tops of the vines.
In the previous post I posed the question of 2020 or 2019? As outstanding as the 2019s are, I must give a slight nod to the 2020s because of my preference for a more elegant expression of acidity here.
2020 Riesling trocken Unplugged
2020 marks the 20th vintage of Unplugged for Tesch, and the first time it is made entirely from old vines. The nose here is mineral and citric. The body is round, pure, and medium-light with penetrating clarity to the citric and apple, fruit. The wine has depth, penetration, and is electric. Screw cap closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. Last digits of A.P Nr.: 04 21. 92/A
2020 (Langenlonsheimer) Löhrer Berg Riesling (trocken)
This is the oldest Riesling site in the Nahe. It was planted completely with Riesling at the end of the 17th century. There is a good natural water supply here, and so there is a more relaxed expression than in the Unplugged. Forest and bush aromas here are complex. The mouth is rounder with more body and chewiness than the Unplugged. The wine is mineral with green apple fruit. The finish is long and the wine shows brilliant clarity and precision. Screw cap closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. Last digits of A.P. Nr.: 10 21. 93/A
2020 (Langlenlonsheimer) Krone Riesling (trocken)
The vineyard here is adjacent to the Löhrer Berg and has loess and limestone soils. Because the vineyard is not close to the forest, there’s not a lot of water here and yields are low. Martin said that he took grapes off the vines where there was a lot of hydric stress, and so the yields here were low. The wine has a pure, floral Riesling nose. The mouth is complex and richer than the Löhrer Berg, multifaceted, sumptuous, and with power and elegance to its green and yellow apple fruit. Screw cap closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. Last digits of A.P. Nr.: 08 21. 93+/A
2020 (Langenlonsheimer) Königsschild Riesling (trocken)
Limestone soils with seashell under loess. It’s a homogenous vineyard and did not undergo stress in 2020. Floral, round notes in nose along with some allspice. Slightly rounder in the mouth than the 2019, but similar with citric fruits, some floral notes, and again the allspice. Gentle acidity provides liveliness but does not interfere with the finesse and clarity in the wine. This is a thrilling, electric wine with precision, salinity, and energy. This is the wine with the most finesse and as in 2019, my favorite of the collection. Screw cap closure. 13.0% stated alcohol. Last digits of A.P. Nr.: 09 21. 95/A+
2020 (Laubenheimer) Karthäuser Riesling (trocken)
The nose here is spicy with white pepper, and a dusty/powdered aspect to the red fruits. The mouth has brilliant, penetrating acidity, and it is round and chewy with red fruits. The acidity makes this wine mouthwatering and there is very good energy, a noble austerity, and relative fullness of body. Screw cap closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. Last digits of A.P. Nr.: 06 21. 94+/A
2020 (Laubenheimer) Remigiusberg Riesling (trocken)
Tesch’s smallest single vineyard, this wine is round and sensual with citric fruit, finesse, and purity. It is at the same time juicy and elegant. Screw cap closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. Last digits of A.P. Nr.: 07 21. 94/A