Keller Winery – Kirchspiel Riesling Kabinett Goldkapsel 2022 MAGNUM 1500ml

Keller Winery – Westhofener Kirchspiel Riesling Kabinett Goldkapsel 2022

Introduction

The Westhofener Kirchspiel Riesling Kabinett is one of Weingut Keller’s most prestigious single-vineyard cuvées and is regarded as the crown jewel of this leading Rheinhessen estate. The Goldkapsel version – a selection of the very best barrels from a vintage – elevates this wine to a level even higher than the already outstanding standard of the regular Kirchspiel Kabinett. The 2022 vintage, one of the warmest and driest on record, produced a wine of exceptional precision and energy, which has been celebrated by critics with top marks.

The winery: Weingut Keller

Weingut Keller in Flörsheim-Dalsheim (Rheinhessen) is now one of the most significant wineries in Germany and the world. The estate’s origins date back to 1789, when Johann Leonhard Keller first acquired land in the Hubacker.

Since Klaus-Peter Keller took over the winery from his father in 2001, he has, with meticulous precision, led it to the very pinnacle of the global wine scene. Jancis Robinson refers to Keller’s Rieslings as ‘German Montrachets’, whilst Robert Parker attests to Klaus-Peter’s ‘fanatical standards’ in the vineyard and cellar. Gault Millau named Keller ‘Winemaker of the Decade’.

The vineyard: Westhofener Kirchspiel

The Kirchspiel is one of Westhofen’s most famous vineyards and a VDP Grosses Gewächs vineyard. The vineyards open out towards the Rhine like an amphitheatre and are situated on the middle to upper slopes. Their east and south-east exposure protects the vines from cold winds and creates an excellent microclimate.

The soils are limestone-dominated – a terroir that lends the wines their characteristic minerality, precision and fine acidity. The plots from which the Kabinett Goldkapsel is produced consist of vines with an average age of around 30 years.

The 2022 vintage

The 2022 vintage in Rheinhessen was characterisedby exceptionally warm and dry weather:

• Precipitation: Between March and early September, rainfall was unusually low.

• Harvest: The harvest began on 19 September and ended on 22 October.

• Quality: Despite the climatic challenges, Keller succeeded in producing wines of exceptional freshness and elegance.

The combination of concentrated grapes, perfect physiological ripeness and Keller’s masterful winemaking made 2022 a vintage in a class of its own for the estate’s sweet and off-dry Rieslings.

What does ‘Goldkapsel’ mean?

The ‘Goldkapsel’ is not a category defined by German wine-growing legislation. Rather , it is an in-house selection made by top winemakers to distinguishwines of exceptional quality within a particular Prädikat classification.

At Keller, the Goldkapsel represents the very best barrels of a vintage – grapes of the highest ripeness, perfect extract density and an exceptional balance between sweetness and acidity. The Goldkapsel versions are strictly limited and are among the estate’smost sought-after bottlings.

Blend composition and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand and rigorously selected. Ageing in large, neutral oak barrels allows for slow, natural fermentation and preserves the pure terroir expression of the vineyard.

Tasting notes

Appearance

A pale, luminous straw-yellow colour with a delicate sheen.

Nose

The bouquet is pure, precise and full of vibrant freshness:

• Fruit: peach, a hint of papaya, fresh pear

• Flowers & honey: wildflowers, wildflower honey

• Minerality: A gloriously complex limestone base

• Citrus: Orange zest

• Yeast: Notes of wild yeast

• Smoke: Delicate smoke, reminiscent of a ‘wisp of fine smoke’

Palate

On the palate, the wine displays a playful liveliness and a dancing fruitiness:

• Texture: Medium-full, delicate and zesty

• Fruit: Juicy peach, zesty spices, juicy lime, candied orange

• Minerality: A chalky, dry contrast to the sweetness – despite the residual sweetness, the wine feels dry and textured

• Acidity: Bouncy, electrifying acidity that permeates the wine and creates immense tension

• Finish: Long, focused and complex with perfect balance

Awards and ratings

John Gilman comments: “The nose is clean, precise and vibrant ... On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, lively and delicate, with marvellous intensity of flavour, a superb mineral undertone, lively acidity and impeccable balance in the long, focused and complex finish. A magnificent Kabinett.”

A community taster describes it as “a ‘wow’ wine that is not only fantastically delicious now but also so complex and deep that it will reward those who have the patience to let it mature in the cellar for years”.

Price and availability

Prices for the Keller Kirchspiel Kabinett 2022 vary considerably depending on bottle size, retailer and region:

Note: Prices are subject to significant fluctuations. The Goldkapsel version is generally more expensive than the standard Kirchspiel Kabinett and is often only available in magnum format or at auction.

Serving recommendation

Optimal serving temperature: Well chilled at 8–10 °C.

Drinking window: John Gilman indicates an exceptionally long ageing potential from 2024 to 2075. The wine is already fantastically delicious in its youth , but will benefit from long bottle ageing and become more complex over thedecades.

Recommended food pairings:

• Asian cuisine (particularly with a slight kick)

• Sushi and seafood

• Grilled fish

• Goat’s cheese

• Light starters

The Goldkapsel version is a wine for special occasions and fine dining – a ‘champagne among Rieslings’ that impresses both as an elegant aperitif and as a wine to accompany a meal.

Conclusion

The Keller Westhofener Kirchspiel Riesling Kabinett Goldkapsel 2022 is a world-class wine – a shining example of why Keller is now regarded as one of the finest wineries on earth. With its 100% Riesling cuvée from the legendary Kirchspiel vineyard, the Goldkapsel selection of the very finest barrels and excellent critics’ ratings (up to 95 points), it ranks among the estate’smost exemplary Kabinetts.

The wine combines mineral depth, electrifying acidity and delicate fruit aromas to create a lively, dancing taste experience that delights both in its youth and after decades of bottle ageing. For lovers of complex, terroir-driven Rieslings with enormous ageing potential – extending well into the second half of the century – the Kirchspiel Kabinett Goldkapsel 2022 is an exceptional choice and a collectable masterpiece from this leading German winery.