Dr von Bassermann Jordan - Deidesheimer Kieselberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 1937

Dr von Bassermann-Jordan – Deidesheimer Kieselberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 1937: A liquid monument to the Palatinate

The 1937 Deidesheimer Kieselberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese from the Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan winery is an exceptional wine that combines the quiet grandeur of a legendary vintage with the allure of one of the Palatinate’s finest vineyards.

The Geheimer Rat Dr von Bassermann-Jordan winery looks back on a history spanning over 300 years, dating back to 1718, when Peter Jordan from Savoy founded the estate. His descendant, Andreas Jordan (1775–1848), laid the foundations for quality viticulture in the region and for the estate’s reputation; until 1996, the estate cultivated Riesling exclusively. It acquired its current name following the marriage of Emil Bassermann to the estate’s heiress. Today, Bassermann-Jordan is one of the founding members of the VDP and is regarded as one of Germany’s most renowned producers.

At the heart of this wine lies the Deidesheimer Kieselbergvineyard , a single-vineyard plot west of Deidesheim on the slopes of the Haardt Mountains, which was first mentioned in a document as ‘Cuselberch’ as early as 1234. The 16-hectare vineyard is situated on a flat high plateau at an altitude of 150 to 160 metres. The soils consist of loam, loamy sand, sandy clay and scattered weathered sandstone. In the Royal Bavarian vineyard classification of 1828, the Kieselberg was ranked among the finest vineyards in the Palatinate. This prestigious vineyard produces wines of remarkable minerality and elegance.

The 1937 vintage was characterised by favourable conditions in the Palatinate. After more than eight decades of bottle ageing, this Trockenbeerenauslese is in a condition enjoyed by only a handful of bottles. The colour is likely to be a deep, luminous amber to coppery gold. The nose unfolds the classic tertiary aromas of a great, matured TBA: notes of dried apricots, honey, caramel and candied citrus fruits, underpinned by the petrol note typical of old Palatinate Rieslings and a delicate minerality. On the palate, there is a harmonious balance of sweetness and acidity which, despite its age, retains a remarkable vibrancy and length.

For lovers of great German sweet wines, this 1937 Deidesheimer Kieselberg Trockenbeerenausleseis an extraordinary experience – a liquid testament to a bygone era of German viticulture and a rare find from the cellar of one of the Palatinate’s most traditional estates.