
- 98
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- 96
- Biodynamic
2023 Wittmann Morstein Riesling Grosses Gewachs
It's hard to quantify the impact and value of 350+ vintages the Wittmann family have under their belt in their hometown of Westhofen. As part of the 15th generation of ownership, current steward Philipp Wittmann has embraced the organic viticulture ethos started by his father Günter, even taking it one step further by converting their vineyards to biodynamic in 2004. He lays the foundation for wines of exceptional quality through intensive, year-round maintenance, low yields and the uncompromising selection of bunches by hand. These are superb dry Rieslings from this superstar Rheinhessen winery.
Other Reviews....
Compared to the Brunnenhäuschen, Wittmann's 2023 Morstein Riesling GG is light and clear but also still very reduced in the fresh and mineral, even savory and precise nose, which is still restrained in the fruit. Pure and extremely salty on the palate, with a very firm and grippy structure and an almost dry/drying minerality, this Morstein draws saliva. It seems more austere and sinewy here and now than the Brunnenhäuschen, and it's still extremely influenced by limestone. This is a great and promising wine. Tasted at the Vorpremiere VDP.Grosses Gewächs in Wiesbaden in August 2024.
In another tasting two days earlier at the domaine, the 2023 Morstein showed a wonderfully chalky, elegantly fruity and balanced nose. Pure and with citrusy freshness as well as chalky salinity, this is a ravishingly fine, elegant and clever Morstein that is light-years away from the abundance and power of the 2000s and early 2010s. This is vibrant and stimulating salty and truly reminiscent of Champagnes from the Côte des Blancs. A magnificent Morstein! Drink 2028-2060.
96+ points
Stephan Reinhardt - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Riesling Westhofener Morstein Grosses Gewächs still flickers with the slightest flinty reduction on its cool nose, but with air, lemon moves in and stays center stage. The palate is just as lemony and immediately projects cooling, moist, chalky depth. The palate is slender, delving deep into that chalkiness. Scented with lemon and bedded on soothing, citric yeast, the finish is totally zesty, precise, strait-laced, pristine and very long. (Bone-dry). Drink 2028-2060.
98 points
Anne Krebiehl - Vinous
Nothing is more fundamental to the world than the interplay of light and darkness, and this wine brings that into your glass in a completely compelling way. There’s an incredible intensity to the minerality of this dry riesling. It’s a giant of orginality, but lies at the upper edge of medium-bodied, resulting in a fantastic sense of lightness. Extraordinary focus and precision in the enchanting and totally fascinating finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Respekt certification. Drink from release.
100 points
Stuart Pigott - JamesSuckling.com
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