Melsheimer 'Reiler Mullay-Hofberg' 'Lentum' Dry 2018

Rieslings of the pleasant traditional kind, calm and profound. Thorsten is a mega passionate and mega likeable winemaker. Relaxed yet very clearly knowing what he is doing. One of the first to have worked biodynamically for almost 30 years in the midst of a very conservative provincial environment. Since 2022, he has been assisted by his son Jannis, who freely gained his knowledge (and also a winemaking girlfriend) outside the Mosel to return with full dedication to the family estate. Jannis handles the vineyard, Thorsten the cellar. Melsheimer's core is the almost complete ownership of the Mullay Hofberg, a vineyard that has been documented since 1143. With the help of stars, moon, goats and chickens, the vineyard is managed and cultivated. From basic Riesling to top cuvée, everything is harvested by hand on the steep south-east facing slate, which also contains a significant dose of quartz (giving a more spicy smoky character). In the cellar, fermentation takes place in large old wooden barrels and spontaneous fermentation. With the exception of sulfite at racking, no additions are made. The wines may not be as 'clear' as those fermented in stainless steel by other producers, says Thorsten, but certainly just as original, deep, earthy, understated, beautiful. Some barrels ferment in the cold, cool, damp cellar for 3 years or even longer. Without any additions! These end up as cuvée 'Lentum'. We bought the last bottles of 2018, which were only bottled last year, available from Friday at Lof, along with 'gewoon droog' and delicious bubbles. According to Vinum, it is one of the best producers in the Mosel. According to us, of course, too.

Description: Lime, grapefruit, kiwi, fresh acidity, slate, classic 'petrol' note, mineral, depth.

Pairs well with: cheese fondue, grilled sea bass and langoustines with a fresh sauce.