2020 Ansgar Clüsserath Trittenheim Apotheke Riesling Auslese 500ml

Region: Mosel, Germany

Grape: Riesling

Culinary Suggestions: Spicy Vietnamese or Thai Dishes, Apple Tart, Aged Hard Cheeses, Pate

About

Weingut Ansgar Clüsserath in Trittenheim on the Mosel has been owned and operated by the family since its founding in 1670. But once again, it came to us through a CellarHand 'family' connection. In charge of winemaking these days is Ansgar Clüsserath’s daughter Eva, who happens to be married to 2014 Gault Millau Winemaker of the Year, Philipp Wittmann. Like Rheinhessen superstar Wittmann, Eva is a member of Germany’s new generation of winegrowers committed to traditional, ecologically sound viticultural practices as well as forward-looking methods.

Some 97% of the vineyards are planted to Riesling. The Clüsseraths have ramped up their emphasis on canopy management for fruit health and ripeness, and harvest all grapes by hand in several stages. Between crushing and pressing, the grapes are left on skins for up to 48 hours. The cool, damp cellar is the ideal setting for its 50-year-old Füder, the traditional round-bellied, 1000-litre casks in which the must undergoes a slow, natural fermentation. Afterwards the wines are left on lees, receiving no treatment except a single filtration prior to bottling. - Importer Note

Tasting Notes

A cornucopia of vibrant, exotic-fruit and floral aromas are married to a rather luscious yet lively body that has so much to say about slate, the Mosel river and the clouds above this narrow valley. Very clean finish. Drink or hold.

95 points - jamessuckling.com October 2021