2019 Gunderloch Als wär's ein Stück von mir Riesling

“To read between the lines – the rows of vines – is like poetry to me. I am inspired by the moods, fragrances, and experiences that I encounter in the vineyard throughout the year” says Johannes Hasselbach. Two vineyard parcels on the Roter Hang in particular have taken a special place in his heart and their character traits have been united in a wine named “Als wär’s ein Stück von mir” (as if it were a piece of me). Wine from young vines in the top site Nackenheimer Rothenberg has been blended with that from a parcel of 35-year-old vines to create a tautly strung wine with extraordinary aromatic expression. “My Riesling combines light-footedness with precision as an aromatic young wine and should have solid potential to express its inherent mineral character, spice, and persistence as it ages and further develops.”

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Viticulture

Wine from young vines in the top site Nackenheim Rothenberg has been blended with that from a parcel of 35-year-old vines to create a tautly strong wine with extraordinary aromatic expression. Vegetation in 2019 started early but due to a very arid climate the vines developed stable but slowly. After an early flowering our thirsty vineyards received healthy amounts of rainfall in a mild climate with few heatpeaks. Harvest started in early September and remained mostly dry which allowed us to pick at a slow and precise rhythm. The wines of 2019 are on the lighter and vivid side but convince through a settled, deep but persistent taste.

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Vinification

For “A piece of me” we decided to push an imaginary Reset-button and look back how the grandparents made wine. The focus lies on the grapes and we want to use every part of it (eg. long maceration time on fully crushed grapes up to 72 hours; minimal clarification; natural yeast fermentation; long time on lees) but also we want to make sure not to loose or alter anything (no artificial yeasts; no fining; no aromatization of any kind). This is only possible if we focus 100% on the vineyards and carefully select only 100% healthy grapes.