Weingut Keller - Westhofen Sylvaner dry dry 2022

Weingut Keller - Westhofen Sylvaner dry 2022.

1. Wine identification

• Producer: Weingut Keller (Flörsheim-Dalsheim, Rheinhessen)

• Wine description: Westhofen Sylvaner dry

• Vintage: 2022

• Grape variety: Silvaner (100 %)

• Flavour: dry

• Alcohol content: 12.0-12.5 % vol

• Ageing: Half barrel (wooden barrel)

• Vine age: 45 year old vines

• Origin of the grapes: Westhofen vineyards Kirchspiel and Steingrube

• Soil: Calcareous soils with a high iron and limestone content (red soil)

2. Market presence & price

The Westhofen Sylvaner 2022 is available in German and international specialised shops, but cannot be found on the mass market due to its limited production.

• Germany: approx. €69.00 per 0.75-litre bottle

• Australia: approx. 117-120 AUD (approx. 70-72 €) per bottle

• Availability: The wine is available from specialised retailers, in some cases already on offer as the 2022 vintage

3. Historical background: Keller Winery

The Keller winery is one of the most important addresses in Rheinhessen and worldwide for dry Rieslings .

• History: The origins of the winery date back to 1789, when Johann Leonhard Keller came to Dalsheim from Switzerland .

• Today's management:Klaus-Peter Keller has been running the winery together with his wife Julia since 2001 . His son Felix is also involved in the work.

• Vineyard area: 18.5 hectares

• Philosophy: Non-invasive vinification with as little intervention as possible, spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts, ageing in large wooden barrels and stainless steel tanks .

• VDP member: The winery is a member of the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) .

4. The vineyards: Westhofener Kirchspiel & Steingrube

The Westhofen Sylvaner 2022 combines grapes from two of the best sites in the municipality of Westhofen.

• Kirchspiel: One of Westhofen's great VDP sites, known for its chalky soils and elegant, mineral wines.

• Steingrube: Also a renowned site with calcareous soils .

• Soil profile: The plots are located on red soil with a high iron and limestone content, directly below the famous Abtserde site . This soil gives the wine its characteristic mineral depth and flavour.

5. Vintage 2022

The 2022 vintage in Rheinhessen was characterised by a warm, dry summer. Nevertheless, top wineries such as Keller succeeded in producing wines with vibrant acidity and race.

• Harvest conditions: The low yields resulted in concentrated grapes with intense flavours.

• Characteristics: Keller's 2022 wines are described as powerful, opulent, yet precise and with a "nervy" acidity structure .

6. Critics' ratings

The Westhofen Sylvaner 2022 has received outstanding reviews and is considered one of the best local wines of its vintage.

• Stuart Pigott (JamesSuckling.com):

  "Lovely fresh pear and pear blossom aromas. Excellent concentration with a wonderful freshness that doesn't come from acidity (which is modest). The finish is long and silky with an underlying stoniness. From the Kirchspiel and Steingrube sites. Drink or hold."
  Rating: 94 points

• Julia Harding MW (jancisrobinson.com):

  "Highly mineral first impression but with a real depth on the palate, a spice in both texture and flavour. Spicy pear contrasts with immense freshness, like a super-charged Muscadet. Great length and concentration. The best village-level Sylvaner I have tasted."
  Rating: 17/20 points

• wein.plus (2021 vintage as reference):
  The Sylvaner from Westhofen was already rated 92 WP (Weinplus points) - "excellent" - for the 2021 vintage. The 2022 edition is at this high level .

7. Sensory description (according to critics)

• Nose: Yellow fruit aromas of ripe apples, quince, pear and pear blossom, accompanied by fine herbal notes and a striking mineral freshness .

• Palate:Lively and precise with a fine, rather moderate acidity. The mineral depth from the chalky soils lends structure and complexity. Spicy notes (white pepper, ginger) and a subtle saltiness characterise the palate .

• Finish: Long, clear, with a lingering mineral note .

8. Summary & drinking recommendation

The Weingut Keller Westhofen Sylvaner dry 2022is a powerful and expressive white wine that continues the long tradition of Silvaner in Rheinhessen at the highest level . It comes from 45-year-old vines in the best vineyards in Westhofen and was matured in wooden barrels.

• Drinking maturity: Already accessible now, but has an excellent ageing potential of 5 years and more . The drinking window is forecast until 2030.

• Serving recommendation: Serve chilled at 10-11 °C. Decanting is not necessary .

• Food recommendation: Ideal with light fish dishes (e.g. trout), asparagus, poultry or Asian dishes .

The wine is considered the best "village-level" Sylvaner that Julia Harding MW has ever tasted . It is an absolute must for lovers of mineral white wines.