2002 Balthasar Ress Rüdesheim Berg Rottland Riesling Spätlese 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.

After an early and quick blossoming, temperatures and precipitation in July and August remained very balanced in the Rheingau. Perfect weather in late summer, i.e. warm days and cool nights, enabled the grapes to ripen optimally. If there were only one wish that went unfulfilled in 2002, it was the weather in October. Basically, if we had had a "golden October" as in 2001, 2002 would have easily qualified as a vintage of the century.

Berg Rottland is a steep site with a slope of 33%. It is situated on the western edge of town, near the Rhine shoals known as the "Binger Loch." The name is related to the German verb "reu-ten/rotten/roden" meaning to clear land for cultivation. In this case, it probably refers to the fallow land (that needed to be cleared) that was given to winegrowers in Rüdesheim and neighboring Eibingen by the archbishop of Mainz between 1031 and 1051. The soils are quite stony, and vary within the site: slate, quartzite and gravel, partially covered with loess. Thanks to the optimal microclimate with its high degree of sunlight and solar radiation, grapes ripen very well in the Berg Rottland site.

The grapes are selectively harvested by hand in several stages, then very carefully and gently transported to the cellar in 40-liter boxes that are manually emptied over the wine press, thus making it possible to completely dispense with crushing and pumping.

Spontaneous fermentation and aging take place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with as little exposure to oxygen as possible, in order to preserve fruit aromas.

100% Riesling

Delicate aromas of quince with a hint of nutmeg (the spice) and nut. Fine, elegant and mellow. Smooth acidity.

Helge Hagen, (Sommelier, Kronenschlösschen/Hattenheim)

Duck liver mousse with quince jelly and walnut brioche. Note: the German text reads "Walnuss broiche"

Helge Hagen, (Sommelier, Kronenschlösschen/Hattenheim)

A "first growth" wine gains strength and ex-pression as it develops over many years. The wine should develop well until 2010-2012. Helge Hagen, (Sommelier, Kronenschlösschen/Hattenheim)