Wittmann – Westhofen Brunnenhäuschen Riesling Grosses Gewächs GG 2024

Wittmann – Westhofener Brunnenhäuschen Riesling Grosses Gewächs GG 2024

1. Basic information

2. The vineyard: Westhofener Brunnenhäuschen

The Brunnenhäuschen is one of the most prestigious sites at the Wittmann estate and is describedby connoisseurs as the most refined of the estate’sGrosse Gewächse. The subsoil consists of Terrarossa – pure limestone bedrock overlaid with red clay coloured by iron. This geological feature lends the wines their characteristic minerality, creaminess and density, which year after year compete with the famous Morstein for the top spot in the Wittmann portfolio .

3. Professional reviews (overview)

4. Tasting notes in detail

James Suckling (98 points)

“A kaleidoscopic nose of pink grapefruit, passion fruit, citrus zest and honeysuckle. Very concentrated, yet creamy and racy. Fantastic energy and elegance on the very long, chalky finish. Limited production, vinified in small, neutral oak barrels.”

Robert Parker / Wine Advocate (95 points)

“Deep and generous on the intense, yet slightly reductive and nevertheless so discreet, terroir-driven nose, which reveals a hint of oaky vanilla . Round yet pure and spicy, a reductive, racy, super salty Riesling with playful tannins and a hint of lemon bitterness.”

Vinous (97 points)

“Of the usual bottlings – which are supple, racy, precise and clear as a bell – this year’s Brunnenhäuschen is particularly splendid.”

Gerstl (tasting note)

“This is almost always the most refined of Wittmann’s GG wines; here this is particularly pronounced – it is incredibly fine, delicate, and intricate. But the diversity and depth contained within this sublime bouquet are indescribable. What a beguiling Riesling fragrance this is! Delicacy also dominates on the palate; at first it seems almost unassuming, then it begins to open up gently, and little by little more and more fascinating nuances come to the fore. First comes a hint of fruit, then more mineral-like components, always characterised by brilliant freshness, coupled with an incredible inner strength!”

Weinfurore

“The ‘Brunnenhäuschen’ presents itself as cool and with distinct green notes; there’s also a hint of vegetal character and plenty of herbs, gooseberry.”

5. Characteristics and Style

The 2024 Brunnenhäuschen GG is unanimously describedby critics as a particularly magnificent vintage from this vineyard site. Characteristic features:

• Bouquet: Kaleidoscopic and complex – pink grapefruit, passion fruit, citrus zest, honeysuckle, along with subtle herbal notes, ripe peach, lemon balm, lemon cake, dark chocolate, almond and walnut

• On the palate: Incredibly refined, delicate and intricate, with a creamy texture and, at the same time, racy acidity. The wine initially seems almost unassuming, but gradually unfolds fascinating nuances

• Minerality: Super salty, with a chalky, long finish

• Distinctive feature: The wine combines incredible inner strength with the utmost finesse – a balancing act that is only achieved in great vineyards

Compared to the more powerful, monumental Morstein, the Brunnenhäuschen is describedas the finer, more delicate and most refined of Wittmann’s Grosse Gewächse.

6. Prices and availability

7. Serving recommendations and ageing potential

The 2024 Brunnenhäuschen GG is a wine that requires great patience:

• Earliest drinking window: 2028 at the earliest

• Optimal maturity: 2030–2045

• Ageingpotential: until 2055 and beyond

• Serving temperature: 8–10 °C

Philipp Wittmann, the winemaker, described the 2024 vintage as follows: “A slightly later season, a relatively long growing season, a year with sufficient rainfall. A classic northern style of fruit ripening.” The Riesling harvest began at the end of September and continued into October – “It took patience to wait as long as possible.”

8. Summary

The Wittmann Westhofener Brunnenhäuschen Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2024 is undoubtedly one of the great white wines of the vintage. With average ratings of around 96–97 points and top scores of 98 points (James Suckling), it ranks among Germany’s finest Rieslings.

Whilst the Morstein is regarded as the estate’s monumental flagship, the Brunnenhäuschen is the most delicate, intricate and refined of Wittmann’s Grosses Gewächs wines. The wine combines a beguiling aromatic diversity with a seemingly understated finesse on the palate, which then unfolds into ever-changing nuances of fruit and minerality – underpinned by an inner strength one would not expect from the wine at first glance.

For lovers of great German Rieslings, the 2024 Brunnenhäuschen GG is an absolute must-have – a terroir wine of rare elegance and depth that rewards patience and can age for decades. Anyone seeking a more refined, less powerful alternative to the Morstein will find their wine here.