Hohe Domkirche – Avelsbacher Altenberg Riesling Kabinett, dry, 1979

Hohe Domkirche – Avelsbacher Altenberg Riesling Kabinett dry 1979: A treasure from the Saar

The 1979 Avelsbacher Altenberg Riesling Kabinett dry from the Hohe Domkirche in Trier is an exceptional wine, deeply rooted in the centuries-old tradition of the Episcopal Vineyards of Trier. The Hohe Domkirche, founded in 1851, is one of the three partners – alongside the Episcopal Seminary and the Episcopal Convict – that joined forces in 1966 to form the Episcopal Vineyards of Trier . This association brought together three of the region’s oldest and most renowned wineries, whose origins date back to the 18th century .

The Avelsbacher Altenbergvineyard itself is a single vineyard in the Avelsbach district of Trier, described as a steep slope with an impressive gradient of around 85 per cent . The south-facing slopes and the specific soil conditions lend the Riesling grapes grown here their characteristic elegance and minerality . The Bischöfliche Weingüter have sole ownership of this prestigious vineyard, which underlines the exclusivity of this wine .

The 1979 vintage, from a period when bottles are now rarely found, now displays the complex aromatic spectrum of a Riesling that has matured for almost five decades. This dry Kabinett shows perfect maturity with remarkable freshness, supported by a well-preserved acidity structure. Tasting notes documenting a similar wine from this era describe a very lovely, spicy nose with smoky minerality and a full-bodied, slightly oily impression on the palate with good acidity . These characteristics are typical of wines from the Avelsbach vineyards and reflect the Riesling grape’s ability to produce wines of great depth and longevity, even under challenging conditions.

Today, this Avelsbacher Altenbergis a sought-after rarity amongst collectors and connoisseurs of great German Rieslings. It offers the rare opportunity to experience an authentic piece of Saar Riesling history at the peak of its maturity and to savour the exceptional quality of a winery that, like few others, embodies the tradition and excellence of German viticulture.