DÖNNHOFF REVIEWS - DEUTSCHLAND WEIN TOUR 2025 - YVES BECK
ABS Wine Agencies, Fri 31 Oct 2025
Reviews from Deutschland Wein Tour 2025 by Yves Beck of Dönnhoff Wines - translated into English
Dönnhoff Riesling Trocken 2024 – 90 Points
The precise and delicate bouquet reveals floral and fruity notes, specifically nuances of white blossoms and citrus fruits, complemented by a mineral touch. Salty and lively on the palate, the wine is juicy, slightly effervescent, and invigorating. A delightful introduction to the world of Dönnhoff! Drink now until 2034.
Dönnhoff Tonschiefer Riesling 2024 – 92 Points
The fine and subtle bouquet of the slate reveals its familiar minerality as well as notes of yellow fruit. On the palate, the wine displays dimension and tension. It is exceptionally defined and benefits from its pronounced structure, which lends it salinity, energy, and brilliance! A compelling and inspiring wine. Drink now until 2038.
Dönnhoff Schlossböckelheimer Riesling Trocken 2024 – 94 Points
The bouquet is authentic and clear from the start. Minerality defines the wine without overpowering the nuances of citrus and sage. The wine has a saline opening and is characterized by its straightforward and elegant development within a concise and structured framework. It possesses character and personality, allowing it to position itself with composure and impact. 2026-2044
Dönnhoff Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling Trocken 2024 – 95 Points
The soils of the Kahlenberg vineyard consist of clay and quartzite, and are therefore somewhat influenced by the Rhine. The Kahlenberg was spared from frost. The profound bouquet is complex, revealing notes of white-fleshed fruits, a hint of linden blossom, and subtle minerality. On the palate, the wine combines roundness and freshness. The acidity is well-balanced by the smooth texture and phenolic structure, resulting in this successful harmony. A flavorful and powerful wine that deserves some cellaring. 2027-2044
Dönnhoff Roxheimer Höllenpfad Riesling trocken 2024 – 95 Points
Barrel sample. The freshness and fruity finesse contrast with a slightly reductive note and minerality. The wine has a saline opening and displays temperament and finesse. The structure forms the backbone and provides a comfortable foundation, while simultaneously underscoring the distinctive character that contributes to the freshness and length of the finish. A magnificent wine. 2029-2059
Dönnhoff Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling GG 2024 – 96 Points
Freshness and minerality characterize the bouquet with nuances of anise, citrus peel, and flint. Held by a precise structure, the wine is distinguished by its elegance and straightforward character. Thanks to the combination of vibrancy, intensity, and density, the wine is perfectly balanced, palatable, and refreshing. It can certainly be enjoyed now, but also offers compelling aging potential. 2026-2044
Dönnhoff Roxheimer Höllenpfad im Mühlenberg Riesling GG 2024 – 97 Points
Inviting and refreshing notes of lime, mirabelle plum, and spices, complemented by a hint of wet stones. The wine has a saline opening and is characterized by dimension, power, and finesse. The concept of a top-tier wine is exemplified by this logic, which allows for the harmonious blend of subtle, concise, powerful, and elegant qualities. Everything suggests that patience is still required. However, the greatness is already there! 2028-2049
Dönnhoff Niederhausener Hermannshöhle Riesling GG 2024 – 98 Points
The bouquet of Hermannshöhle presents itself with its characteristic serenity. It’s not there to put on a show, but rather gets straight to the point, proving its superiority once again. The nuances of stone fruit, lemongrass, licorice, and flint create an inspiring and captivating whole. On the palate, the wine follows a straightforward, clearly defined, and precise course. It is powerful, full-bodied, elegant, and even lean. The pinnacle of this paradox creates prestige wines. What an individual!
Dönnhoff Niederhausener Hermannshöhle Riesling GG 2014 – 97 Points
The bouquet of the 2014 vintage is subtle and generous. Nuances of lemon balm, licorice, and candied citrus fruits create a symbiosis that is all about freshness, yet unfolds within a broad context! The wine impresses with a slightly salty opening and its ability to be straightforward and elegant within a generally quite broad context. It has power, tension, a distinctive character, but also generosity. Hermannshöhle always has solutions, regardless of the vintage. For him, Suzuki remains a motorcycle brand. Drosophila? Never heard of it! Period. Now until 2044
Dönnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling GG 2023 – 99 Points
The bouquet of this Dellchen is characterized by its intense fruit and spice, with notes of mirabelle plums, lime zest, pears, and mild spices. The wine is saline on the attack, powerful, and juicy. What energy, what temperament, what clarity in this concise and taut context! Yet it doesn’t lack finesse. It is certainly present and manifests itself through an exceptional elegance, a remarkable serenity that perfectly embodies the concept of quiet power. A magnificent wine! 2029-2054
Dönnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling GG 2013 – 98 Points
The bouquet of the 2013 Dellchen evokes nostalgia in me; it reminds me of my homeland, Switzerland, thanks to its notes of alpine herbs, or rather, Ricola! These are accompanied by nuances of lime, licorice, and ripe nectarines. The wine is creamy and saline on the palate, underscoring its freshness and dimension. It reveals itself as full-bodied, juicy, straightforward, and delicious. Everything comes together perfectly, all components are in symbiosis, and the finish prolongs the enjoyment with incredible length. Drink now until 2038.
Dönnhoff Riesling Feinherb 2024 – 90 Points
The bouquet alone of this off-dry Riesling is enough to lift your spirits and make you want a glass! The wine is fruity and sweet on the palate and is characterized by its harmony, which is based on a perfectly balanced equilibrium between vibrancy and sweetness. A delightful, invigorating wine. Drink now until 2034.
Dönnhoff Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett 2024 – 94 Points
The bouquet of this Kabinett promises a vibrant wine. It is expressive and delights with its intense fruit and freshness. The gentle attack underscores its charm. This is supported by the structure, which lends it temperament through salinity and energy. An inviting, invigorating, and lingering wine. Drink now until 2039.
Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Klamm Riesling Kabinett 2024 – 94 Points
From the very beginning, the Klamm establishes itself as an individual. It doesn’t imitate anyone, it isn’t designed to please everyone, it is what it is... and that suits it very well. At the same time, it is acutely aware of its abilities, which makes its task considerably easier. On the palate, the wine displays clear ambitions and goals: to inspire, to entertain, and to unite. Sweetness, acidity, and astringency create an ensemble that is as powerful as it is reliable. Everything is geared towards harmony, temperament, finesse, and the future, because it will last a long time (if you don’t drink it all first...). 2027-2049
Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett 2024 – 95 Points
The Leistenberg Kabinett impresses immediately with its subtlety, which manifests itself in a compelling symbiosis of minerality, spice, and fruit. The gentle opening is nicely complemented by salinity and vibrancy. The wine is elegant and flavorful, harmonious and invigorating. A Kabinett that can be enjoyed young or not so young, but in my opinion, you’ll quickly find yourself reaching for the Reserve, it’s so fresh and enticing. 2027-2044
Dönnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese 2024 – 94 Points
What incredible enthusiasm, spontaneity, and joie de vivre are packed into this wine! Its sweetness and its vibrant character are the best of friends! They work in the same direction, aiming not only to quench thirst but also to impress through their harmony and complementary nature. A captivating wine! Drink now until 2039
Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese 2024 – 96 Points
High definition and depth are the undeniable strengths of Hermannshöhle. This Spätlese (late harvest) is a striking reminder of this. With its focus on detail, it reveals numerous components without favoring any one over the others. Only precision counts. The wine opens with a saline note, then reveals its sweetness in a crescendo that frames it while still allowing it ample space. This is only possible with an acid structure that provides a solid foundation and is ideally supported by a touch of phenols, which accordingly contribute to its intensity. The wine is balanced, expressive, and persistent. Now, however, we must wait! 2029-2059
Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese 2021 – 96 Points
The 2021 vintage continues to develop and shows the first signs of opening up... not in an oxidative sense, but rather in terms of its approachability. Although it’s only just under four years old, it’s clear that it’s progressing. Fine mineral nuances are accompanied by citrus fruits and white blossoms. On the palate, the harmony is perfect from the very first moment. The wine has completed its “mise en place” and is ready for a long journey in comfort mode. That is to say, if you want to enjoy it now, you will be delighted... and probably even more so in 10 years. So you can enjoy it now or wait... or both, but in that case, you’ll need to have a sufficient supply ;-) Now until 2046
Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Spätlese 2024 – 95 Points
The Brücke Spätlese presents itself with seriousness and precision, yet without forgetting to smile. The numerous nuances of the bouquet form an inviting whole. The wine is slightly saline on the palate and impresses with its freshness and harmony. It is also characterized by its ability to balance the sweetness without overpowering it. On the contrary, it integrates it and blends it with its acidity. The result is an elegant, subtle, and persistent wine. 2027-2044
Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Eiswein 2021 – 99 Points
The density and depth are immediately noticeable! What intensity, what a league of its own! Even the first whiff makes it clear that this is an exception, a rarity encountered only a handful of times! The combination of overripeness, charm, freshness, and precision is extraordinary! The olfactory concentration is perfectly conveyed on the palate, transforming into a concentrated taste. The dynamic interplay between sweetness and acidity is wide-ranging, with temperament, power, and freshness setting the tone, and sweetness forming the common thread. A wine that is not intrusive, but rather calming, fascinating, and convincing. I think it could serve as a cultural legacy for future generations! 2030-2100