A. Christmann - Idig Riesling VDP Grosses Gewächs GG dry 2017

A. Christmann – Königsbacher Idig Riesling VDP Grosses Gewächs GG dry 2017

1. Summary

The A. Christmann – Königsbacher Idig Riesling VDP Grosses Gewächs GG dry 2017 is a dry Riesling of absolute world-class quality from the Palatinate. Idig is the crown jewel of the A. Christmann estate and is cultivated by the estate on an almost monopolistic basis. The ‘Großes Gewächs’ (GG) represents the highest quality level for dry wines within the VDP association – a wine that reflects the terroir in its purest form. The 2017 vintage produces a powerful, dense yet elegant Riesling with exceptional ageing potential, which has been awarded top marks of up to 99/100 points (James Suckling) by the international specialist press .

2. Product details

3. Availability & Prices (as at July 2026)

The wine is still available in some specialist shops:

The prices quoted are indicative figures from the rare wines market. The fill level of the bottles on offer is stated as ‘into neck’ – an excellent condition for a wine that is almost 10 years old .

4. The ‘Königsbacher Idig’ vineyard

The single vineyard ‘Königsbacher Idig’ is one of Germany’s most significant Riesling vineyards and is ranked by Gault Millau and Eichelmann amongst the small, exclusive selection of Germany’s most important Grand Crus.

Historical significance

The Idig was first documentedas early as the 14th century in the records of the Palatinate Electors and remained in their possession until the Napoleonic era. It served as a court estate for the Electors – a sign of its outstanding quality.

Location and Soil

• Topography: A basin-like site with afairly steep south-facing slope, offering excellent protection against cold air

• Exposure: South-easterly slope, facing the morning sun, which warms the vineyard well into the afternoon

• Soil: Compact limestone (limestone soil) ‘ ’ – imparts a pronounced minerality and salty finesse to the wine

Ownership

The A. Christmann winery owns 2.8 hectares,comprising the majority of the vineyard area in Idig – in total, the estate holds around 4 hectares of the site’s6.5 hectares. This effectively constitutes a near-monopoly.

5. The 2017 vintage

The 2017 vintage in the Palatinate produced wines with a clear acidity profile, moderate alcohol content and good ageing potential. The 2017 Idig impresses with:

• Precise, fresh fruit aromas

• Delicate yet supportive acidity

• Early signs of maturation (petrol, smoke) combined with youthful freshness

6. Vinification

Winemaking follows the estate’sconsistent, purist philosophy:

• Hand-harvested grapes

• Spontaneous fermentation (with natural yeasts)

• Ageing in large wooden casks

• No malolactic fermentation (characteristic of Christmann)

• Short maceration for greater texture and aromatic density

7. Sensory description

Colour

Pale straw yellow – a sign of freshness and youthfulness.

Nose

The bouquet is intense, dense and complex:

• Smoky, mineral notes

• Creamy, firm yellow fruit – ripe peach, apricot

• Fresh grape notes

• Petrol – typical of the grape variety and due to age

• Citrus fruits – lime with zest, grapefruit

• Spicy accents – green pepper, Mediterranean herbs, juniper

The impression fluctuates between mature and young – intense and dense, but not yet fully matured.

Palate

On the palate, the full class of this wineunfolds :

• Texture: Dry, firm and aromatic – the wine derives more from its texture than from its acidity

• Fruit: Yellow fruit that unfolds on the tongue

• Freshness: Plenty of freshness and juiciness – the wine feels significantly younger on the palate than on the nose

• Alcohol: Subtle and well-integrated

• Minerality: Delicate, salty notes

Finish

The finish is persistent and long-lasting – with every sip, the mouthfeel builds until, after the first glass, it simply refuses to fade away. The empty glass reveals more fruit, sweetness and creaminess.

8. Reviews

The wine is described as “one of the most restrained, elegant wines of the tasting” – Christmann is “playing the long game” here .

9. Drinking maturity & ageing potential

Note: This wine requires patience. If you open it today, you should allow it sufficient time in a decanter or let it breathe in the glass – overnight it will become more mature, yellower and creamier.

10. Serving recommendations

11. Conclusion

The A. Christmann – Königsbacher Idig Riesling VDP Grosses Gewächs GG dry 2017 is a world-class Riesling. It combines one of the Palatinate’s most historically significant vineyards with the consistent, terroir-driven style of one of Germany’s finest wineries. The award of 99/100 points by James Suckling underlines its exceptional quality.

The wine is powerful and dense, yet possesses great elegance and freshness – a ‘Großes Gewächs’ that demands patience and rewards the patient with mineral depth, salty finesse and impressive longevity.

For collectors and connoisseurs: the 2017 Idig is a wine for the long haul – anyone wishing to experience the essence of the Königsbach Idig in its purest form will find a vinicultural masterpiece in this bottle . An absolute must-have for any collection and an unforgettable tasting experience for every lover of great German Rieslings.