Weinguter Wegeler : Riesling Bernkasteler Doctor TBA 2019

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Riesling Bernkasteler Doctor TBA 2019 from Weinguter Wegeler

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep golden hue with amber highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, dominated by intense botrytis notes. Aromas of caramelized kumquat mingle with hints of honey and fresh pineapple lifted by lemon. A mineral dimension, the hallmark of this slate terroir, adds extra depth to the overall profile.

Palate

On the palate, this sweet wine captivates with its exceptional concentration and absolute finesse. Honeyed sweetness and pineapple flavors unfold with intensity, while vibrant acidity preserves balance and freshness. A mineral backbone structures the whole through to a persistent, elegant finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Trockenbeerenauslese is a magnificent match for refined desserts such as Tuscan panforte, marrons glacés, or dates stuffed with marzipan. It also pairs superbly with blue cheeses and aged cheeses, whose intense flavors it elevates. This wine can also be enjoyed on its own, as a meditation wine, to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity.

Serving and cellaring

The Riesling Bernkasteler Doctor TBA 2019 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. Thanks to its remarkable acidity and concentration, this wine has exceptional aging potential, capable of lasting for several decades.

An outstanding German white wine from the legendary Bernkasteler Doctor vineyard in the Moselle

The estate

Founded in 1882 by Julius Wegeler, Weinguter Wegeler embodies nearly 145 years of family winemaking tradition in Germany. Today, the estate spans 56 hectares divided between the Moselle and the Rheingau, with an exceptional concentration of plots classified as Grand Cru and Premier Cru. A member of the prestigious VDP association, the estate is currently run by the fourth generation of the Wegeler family, with Richard Grosche as CEO. Certified organic, the estate upholds a philosophy rooted in patience and excellence, keeping its wines in the cellar until they reach optimal maturity before release.

The vineyard

Bernkasteler Doctor is one of the smallest and most prestigious vineyards in the Moselle, with just 3.25 hectares. Weinguter Wegeler owns around 1.1 hectares here. Facing due south to south-west, with a vertiginous slope reaching 60 to 70%, this exceptional terroir benefits from maximum sunlight. The soil is a unique combination of Devonian blue and gray slate enriched with clay-silt components, providing excellent drainage while retaining the necessary moisture. The vines, 30 to 40% of which are ungrafted, have an average age of over 60 years. This particularly warm microclimate enables optimal ripening of Riesling, the sole grape variety on this legendary plot classified as VDP Grosse Lage.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage proved exceptional. After a mild winter and a cool spring that delayed flowering, summer brought heatwaves with temperatures exceeding 40°C in July. The welcome rains in September relieved accumulated water stress, allowing the grapes to develop complexity and minerality while preserving remarkable acidity thanks to cool nights. These climatic conditions were especially favorable for the development of noble rot, essential to the production of Trockenbeerenauslese. The Moselle produced wines of outstanding quality, combining ripeness, concentration, and freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The Riesling Bernkasteler Doctor TBA 2019 is made from overripe grapes left on the vine until they reach an extreme concentration of sugars. The berries, entirely affected by botrytis cinerea, are harvested by hand, berry by berry, through successive selective passes. Vinification takes place in barrels, allowing for a slow, partial fermentation due to the exceptionally high sugar concentration. Extended aging on fine lees develops aromatic complexity while preserving the hallmark finesse of this outstanding wine.

Grape variety

100% Riesling.