Ratzenberger Caspar R Riesling 2023

Ratzenberger Caspar R Riesling is a monovarietal Riesling from Weingut Ratzenberger, classified as VDP Mittelrhein. The estate sits in the Renaissance village of Bacharach and farms around twenty three hectares of Riesling on the steep, south-facing slopes above the river. The soils are mainly crumbling slate, which warms quickly and drains freely, driving the taut, stony minerality that defines Mittelrhein Riesling and helping the grapes ripen on these cool, sheltered hillsides. At 9 percent alcohol the wine keeps a touch of natural sweetness, a classic balance where residual sugar offsets the grape's high acidity rather than reading as sweet. Cool fermentation preserves the delicate aromatics and the bright fruit. The colour is pale lemon with green flecks. The nose is fresh and floral, with lemon, green apple and white peach lifted by orchard blossom and a wet-stone note. The palate is light and racy, the off-dry fruit stretched over a firm line of acidity and a saline, slate-edged finish. The low alcohol makes it easy to drink and a fine match for spice. Serve well chilled at 8 to 10 degrees.