Weingut Keller - AbtsE Riesling dry Grosses Gewächs GG 2018

Keller Winery – AbtsE Riesling Dry Großes Gewächs (GG) 2018

The 2018 AbtsE Riesling GG from Keller Winery is one of the most prestigious and expensive dry Rieslings in the world. This report summarises the origin, ratings, characteristics and availability of this rarity.

1. Keller Winery

Weingut Keller in Flörsheim-Dalsheim (Rheinhessen) is run by the tenth generation of the Keller family and has made a name for itself worldwide for its first-class Rieslings from old, yield-reduced vines. It is regarded as one of the finest sources for dry Rieslings in Germany.

2. Origin and terroir: the ‘Abts Erde’ vineyard

The name “Abts E®” is a play on words: the wine comes from the “Abtserde” plot – a 2. 5-hectare, historic centrepiece of the Westhofen Brunnenhäuschen vineyard.

• Historical significance: As early as 1280, the Bishop of Worms identified this terroir for his own exclusive consumption – a testament to its exceptional quality.

• Soil: The gravelly, hard-to-work soils create ideal conditions for intense, mineral-driven wines.

• Acquisition by Keller: The Keller family acquired the plot in 1996, but had to wait almost ten years before they were able to bottle the wine under their own name for the first time . As the terroir is not officially recognised as a separate vineyard site, the family chose the name Abts E®.

3. Characteristics and tasting notes

The 2018 AbtsE is a dry Riesling with 13% alcohol. The 2018 vintage in Rheinhessen was characterised by high temperatures, which is reflected in the wine’s density and power.

Aroma (nose):

• Expressive and intense, with notes of citrus fruits, apricot, white flowers and exotic hints on a mineral base.

• Smoky, spicy and slightly reductive notes with wild herbs, ripe pear and stony fruit.

• After aeration , orange blossom, lime, Indian spices, mandarin and yellow peach emerge.

Palate and finish:

• Enormous density and richness of extract, combined with great elegance.

• Powerful and concentrated, yet never ponderous.

• Herbal freshness with along, tart and mineral acidity on the finish.

• The wine is sometimes describedas ‘hearty’ rather than fruit-driven, with plenty of spice.

4. Ratings and critics’ reviews

The 2018 AbtsE received excellent ratings:

Comments from the community:

• "The most elegant and refined wine in the range, with great purity, minerality and tension"

• "Absolutely electrifying – like a tightly coiled spring with incredible tension and energy"

• "Very young and not yet harmonious, but delicious with dense, concentrated fruit"

5. Price and availability

The 2018 AbtsE is an extremely limited-edition wine and is sold out almost everywhere.

• Price range: Depending on the supplier, between approx. €313 (Idealwine estimate) and €385 per 0.75-litre bottle.

• Retail prices: At Greatest Wines , the standard price is €425, reduced to €385; at Bottle Hero, it is also €385.

• International: US prices range from 200 to 500 US dollars (excluding tax).

6. Drinking maturity and ageing potential

The 2018 AbtsE is currently still very young and far from reaching its peak. Experts recommend:

• Earliest drinking: From 2026 at the earliest .

• Optimal maturity: Between 2033 and 2048.

• Recommendation: The wine needs several years in the cellar to develop its full harmony.

7. Summary

The Weingut Keller AbtsE Riesling dry GG 2018 is an exceptional Riesling from a historic terroir that sets new standards in terms of power and density. With ratings ranging from 97 to 99 points, it ranks among the finest dry Rieslings of the vintage. However , due to its immense concentration and youth, the wine requires patience – its full potential will only be revealed in one to two decades. Anyone lucky enough to get hold of a bottle should save it for a special occasion.