2001 Balthasar Ress Hattenheimer Engelmannsberg Riesling Auslese fruity exposé

The producer is the renowned VDP wine estate Balthasar Ress. Founded in 1870 by the Rheingau hotelier Balthasar Ress, the wine estate numbers among the large, family-operated enterprises in the Rheingau today. Consistently high standards of performance and reliability have been hallmarks of the estate since its founding. Today the estate is run by Stefan and Christian Ress, who represent the fourth and fifth generations of the founding family.

A picture perfect Indian summer with temperatures in October of up to 25°C (77°F). This sudden change in the weather after a problematic September created optimal conditions particularly in vineyards with a high proportion of stony soils, e.g. Rüdesheim for the grapes to ripen. In heavy loam near the Rhine, however, there was a lot of rot which made it necessary to harvest very selectively.

The name Engelmannsberg derives from Engelmann of Hattenheim, a knight who deeded his wine estates to Kloster Eberbach in 1321. The soil consists primarily of loess, loess loam and Tertiary marl. Because they are deep, they are able to store consider-able water reserves especially valuable in dry years to ensure the vines’ water and nutrient supplies.

The grapes are selectively harvested by hand and gently transported to the cellar in containers that can be emptied over the wine press, thus making it pos-sible to completely dispense with crushing and pumping.

Fermentation takes place for several months in large glass balloons after the musts settle.

100% Riesling

Delicate petrol tone paired with the aroma of quince jelly. Light sweetness with a ripe acidity structure.

Helge Hagen, (Sommelier, Kronenschlöss-chen/Hattenheim)

Apple beignets/fritters dusted with cinnamon and sugar, served with vanilla ice cream. Helge Hagen, (Sommelier, Kronenschlöss-chen/Hattenheim)

The wine should develop well until 2009-2010. Helge Hagen, (Sommelier, Kronenschlöss-chen/Hattenheim)