Schloss Reinhartshausen - Erbacher Markobrunn Riesling 1955 'ex estate treasure chamber 2018'

Introduction - the Schloss Reinhartshausen Winery

With a documented history dating back to 1337, Weingut Schloss Reinhartshausen is one of the most traditional wineries in the Rheingau. The current cultivation area of more than 80 hectares is one of the largest private wine estates in the region, and the "Original Schlossabfüllung" label alone promises more than 680 years of experience in Riesling cultivation and sustained top quality worldwide.

The Erbacher Marcobrunn site - the centrepiece

The VDP.GROSSE LAGE® Marcobrunn extends over around 6.7 hectares between Erbach and Hattenheim on the south-facing Strahlenberg. This historically documented site was the first vineyard in the Rheingau to appear by name on a label (1726) and is listed as a first-class vineyard in the first official classification (1867). The deep, calcareous and clayey marl soils are rich in shell limestone, sand and quartzite and force the vines to work deep roots, resulting in the characteristic minerality and exceptional finesse of the Marcobrunn Rieslings.

For centuries, only Riesling has been cultivated on the Marcobrunn, which is known for its unrivalled longevity. The special topography with surrounding ramparts that store heat and a lateral water flow from the Taunus layers, even in dry years, always ensure optimal growing conditions for the Riesling.

The 1955 vintage - between tradition and transformation

The Erbacher Marcobrunn Riesling 1955 comes from a period of transition in the German wine industry. The 1955 vintage is rated as "very good" (14/20) in the Rheingau, with wines that are light, delicate and ethereally fruity. In this era, Rieslings were often vinified with a natural, unfermented residual sweetness, which gives the wine body and a multi-faceted, honey-like mellowness. Marcobrunn 1955 is characterised by this typical Rheingau Riesling bouquet, slightly reminiscent of spice and ripe fruit, underpinned by the characteristic deep minerality of the Marcobrunn terroir.

In a comparison of the winery, the close relative of the same vineyard from 1953 is still listed today as a Trockenbeerenauslese with 96 Tastingbook points, which underlines the great ageing potential of the Marcobrunn vineyard. Today, the 1955 Marcobrunn should have a deep golden to amber colour, complex aromas of dried fruit, honey, herbal notes and a long, spicy finish.

Market presence and collector's value

Due to the rarity of older Marcobrunn Rieslings, the 1955 is a sought-after collector's item. In more recent vintages, the Erbacher Marcobrunn Riesling Kabinett Grosse Lage is traded at Vivino with prices starting at around € 30-45 for a 0.75-litre bottle, while older Riesling Auslese and Spätlese wines regularly fetch far higher prices at auctions (Bonhams, Sotheby's). The exact market value of the 1955 Marcobrunn depends on the condition of the bottle (fill level, cork, label, storage provenance). Experienced auction houses today offer vintages from this period time and again, whereby the demand for Marcobrunn Rieslings is continuously high due to the great historical significance of the location.

Conclusion

The Erbacher Marcobrunn Riesling 1955 from Schloss Reinhartshausen is a rare testimony to the high art of Rheingau Riesling production in the middle of the 20th century. It combines the centuries-old tradition of the Marcobrunn terroir with an excellent vintage for its time and proves why Rieslings from this vineyard are among the most sought-after in the world. For collectors and lovers of historic Rieslings, the 1955 Marcobrunn is a fascinating piece of wine history that - if still preserved in its original bottle - can offer an unforgettable drinking experience even six decades after its creation.