Weingut Keller - Kirchspiel Riesling Grosses Gewächs GG 2024

Here is the detailed report on the 2024 Weingut Keller "Kirchspiel" Riesling Grosses Gewächs (GG)

The 2024 Kirchspiel GG is a white wine that, despite its characteristic ageing potential, already captivates in its youth with its uncommon grace and almost playful charm.

🍇 Wine description & tasting notes

With an alcohol content of 12.5% vol. this wine is dry.

🏆 Reviews & ratings

The critical response to the 2024 Kirchspiel GG is consistently excellent, with its elegance and charm being particularly emphasised.

🌍 Origin & terroir

The terroir of the Kirchspiel site is the decisive factor for the unique characteristics of this wine.

• Location & climate: The site, which opens uptowards the Rhine like an ancient amphitheatre, faces east to south-east. This orientation protects the vines from cold westerly winds and ensures that the vines receive the first rays of sunshine early in the morning. Some of the slopes are extremely steep, with a gradient of up to 30%.

• Soil: The terroir is characterisedby clay marl soil with limestone deposits and weathered limestone loam. This nutrient-poor, limestone-rich soil gives the wine its characteristic minerality, sharpness and salty flavour.

👨‍🌾 Vinification & cellar work

Klaus Peter Keller pursues a minimally invasive approach in order to best reflect the unique terroir of the Kirchspiel vineyard in the wine.

• Harvest: Hand-picking with strict selection of the grapes, mostly from plots with very old vines (e.g. a plot from 1964 is used for the "Von der Fels").

• Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts in stainless steel tanks and large, traditional oak barrels (so-called "Stückfass"). Some of the grapes are gently pressed in a traditional basket press.

• Ageing: The wine matures for several months on the lees, which gives it additional complexity, creaminess and a fine texture. The biodynamic or organic cultivation of the vineyards by the winery has been an important foundation since the more recent vintages.

⏳ Drinking recommendation & ageing potential

This wine is a classic with great staying power.

• Optimal drinking maturity: 2029 to 2040+ (and beyond). It can easily be stored for two decades or longer.

• Serving temperature: 10-12 °C.

Recommended food pairing: Its salty minerality and lively acidity make it an exceptional accompaniment to a wide range of dishes:

• Fish & seafood: oysters, scallops, grilled salmon or lobster.

• Asian cuisine: sushi, sashimi, spicy Thai curries.

• Poultry & veal: Roast chicken or tender veal with a light lemon and herb sauce.

• Vegetarian: Creamy risotto (e.g. with asparagus or mushrooms) and dishes with artichokes.

• Cheese: Goat's cheese or matured hard cheese such as Comté.

💰 Price & availability

Prices for this coveted wine vary greatly depending on the retailer, region and the nature of the supply (e.g. pre-order).

Availability: Due to the limited production and high international demand, availability can generally be categorised as low to very low. Many specialist wine merchants only stock this vintage as a pre-order ("pre-arrival") or with strict sales limits.

✨ Conclusion

The 2024 Weingut Keller "Kirchspiel" Riesling GGis an exceptional wine that epitomises the fine art of Riesling production in Rheinhessen. With rave reviews, charming elegance and remarkable mineral depth, it is not only a delight for connoisseurs, but also a worthwhile investment for collectors. Its limited availability and high price emphasise its status as one of the most sought-after dry white wines in Germany.