Gunderloch Rothenberg Riesling GG 2020

The Rothenberg vineyard encompasses about 20 hectares directly on the Rhine River on the north end of the ?Roter Hang? between Nackenheim and Nierstein. Around five hectares of this comprise the heart of the Rothenberg. The vineyard has a slope of 30 to 80% and comprises 290-million-year-old red shale plates. The Hasselbach family of Gunderloch Estate own around 4.5 hectares of this prime vineyard made up predominantly of very steep parcels. The Nackenheimer Rothenberg is without question their most prominent vineyard mountain. It yields wines of striking mineral character paired with a broad spectrum of expressive spice and fruit aromas.

A most unusual 2020 Riesling GG that?s brimming with exotic-fruit aromas. Much drier on the medium-bodied palate than the nose suggested. Plenty of mineral energy and racy acidity drive this along at a brisk clip. Long, firm and complex finish. Drink or hold. 94 points. Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com August 2021

The 2020 Rothenberg GG opens very clear, fresh and aromatic with elegant, ripe stone fruit aromas intertwined with a delicately smoky mineral spiciness. Round and beautifully juicy on the palate, this has very fine grip and a somewhat lactic creaminess that I found rather atypical for this Rothenberg that normally bursts with tension. I'm curious to follow the 2020 over the next couple of years, but at this early stage, it doesn't grab me like the 2019 did. Tasted in Wiesbaden at the end of August 2021. 92+ points. Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate September 2021