Weingut Dönnhoff : Riesling Tonschiefer Trocken 2025

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Riesling Tonschiefer Trocken 2025 from Weingut Dönnhoff

Tasting notes

Appearance
This wine shows a remarkably clear colour, ranging from pale yellow to lemon yellow, enhanced by delicate golden highlights.

Nose
The bouquet is vibrant and pure, dominated by citrus notes such as lemon, along with apple and fresh grape. Subtle touches of white peach, mirabelle plum and flowers intertwine with a deep, stony minerality typical of its slate terroir.

Palate
The attack is lively and crystalline. The palate is medium-bodied, structured by a fine, energetic acidity that brings a lovely tension. The long, mouthwatering finish fully expresses the minerality of the terroir through saline, stony sensations.

Food and wine pairings
This white wine pairs wonderfully with grilled or poached fish served with an herb sauce, as well as with seafood such as scallops or king prawns. It also enhances white meats, such as roast poultry, lightly spiced Asian dishes with lemongrass, and fresh goat's cheeses.

Serving and cellaring
The Riesling Tonschiefer Trocken 2025 can be enjoyed young for its vibrancy, but it also has fine ageing potential and can be kept until around 2029.

The Mineral Elegance of a Great Nahe Riesling from Weingut Dönnhoff

The estate
The family's winegrowing history dates back to the 18th century, but the modern estate was founded in 1920, when Hermann Dönnhoff began bottling his own wines. Located in Oberhausen in the Nahe region, the estate is now run by Cornelius Dönnhoff, supported by his father Helmut. It stands out for its philosophy of overall harmony and its Fair'n Green sustainability certification. A true global benchmark, this estate of excellence cultivates its vines on volcanic and slate terroirs, ranking its wines among the most prestigious in Germany.

The vineyard
The vines, aged 25 to 50 years, thrive on the steep slopes of the Oberhäuser Leistenberg site. This distinctive German terroir is composed of very old, dark clay-slate soils capable of storing the heat of the day. The vineyard is farmed organically, with natural grass cover and a planting density of about 6,000 vines per hectare. No irrigation is used, forcing the roots to dig deep into the rock. Yields are kept to around 55 hl/ha.

Winemaking and ageing
The grapes for the Riesling Tonschiefer Trocken 2025 are harvested exclusively by hand in successive passes, with rigorous sorting carried out directly in the vineyard. Whole-bunch pressing takes place quickly and gently to preserve the purity of the juice. Fermentation starts spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts. To retain optimal freshness, no malolactic fermentation is carried out. The wine is then aged in a combination of stainless steel tanks and large traditional oak foudres, allowing it to develop complexity while respecting the expression of its terroir.

Grape variety
100% Riesling