Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Spätlese feinherb "Gackes unten" 2023

Mosel, Germany

Riesling (100%) · 2023 · 10.5% abv

An almost otherworldly mix of salt, stone and citrus. Intensely slatey aromas unfurl into lime, ginger spice and a cool, creamy note that feels weightless. Despite 18 g/L of sugar, the towering acidity makes it taste crystalline and dry. Salty, endlessly long, and hauntingly delicate.

Production

Selective hand harvest, gentle pressing and slow, spontaneous fermentation. The balance is set by nature: modest residual sugar carried by massive acidity. Extended time on fine lees builds quiet texture without softening the steel. Bottled to retain nerve and clarity.

Vinyard

Sourced from a central, stoniest parcel beneath a slate outcrop — “Gackes unten.” Ungrafted vines around 85 years old dig through shallow soils into pure slate. Low yields amplify minerality; everything here reads as rock first, fruit second.

Pairing

Think sashimi, poached turbot, Alpine cheeses, or roast chicken with lemon and herbs. The saline thrust heightens delicate flavours while the feinherb cushion softens edges.