Description

50% Mller-Thurgau , 35% Sankt Laurent, 15% Gelber Muskateller

From 20 year old vines in Kettenheim and Alzey, planted to 1.5ha of loess and calcareousclay soils. The grapes are hand-harvested on October 8th, vineyard sorted and wholecluster maceration for 24hrs followed by spontaneous fermentation lasting six weeks instainless steel. The wine spends five months on lees and then is bottled in January.

Winery: Weingut Schlossmuhlenhof(Rheinhessen, Germany)
The Schloss Mhlenhof property is a large estate (nearly 20ha) spread across the slopes above Kettenheim, 3km south of Alzey. This size would seem reasonable, if not expected, considering the estate was started in 1846 and is now hosting the 6th generation. It began as a rye and wheat mill until the 1920s, when the small vineyard attached became the focus for the family income. The vines of that era have been replaced over time but some on the property are still as old as 45yrs. Now in the hands of Gabriele, Nicolas andWalter Michel, the farm operates organically but not by any legal standard. They followwhat they call, ecologically healthy farming practices, with the intent on capturing thepure expression of the Rheinhessen style.

The vineyards are worked heavily in August to reduced yields (green harvesting), cuttingnearly 1/2 of their fruit. Grapes are vinified to preserve freshness while revealing depthand concentration. Considering the size of the harvest, they are experts at doing just that.Knowing their soils for so long (mostly limestone combinations), the family does capture aclear minerality and a distinct spirit from each varietal, from parcels as small as .4ha. TheMichels final act (perhaps their expertise) in the cellar, brings multiple tanks together,each with their strongest asset to form deliciously drinking, full flavored wines with adirect link to the Rhienhessen region. Provided the Michels continue in this way, there willbe no shortage of this kind of wine along the Rhine, for the generations to come.

The Land
Region: Rheinhessen
Grape: 50% Mller Thurgau, 35% Sankt Laurent
15% Gelber Muskateller
Vine Age: 20 years
Soil: Loess and calcareous clay
Harvest Date: October 8th

The Cellar
Yeast: n/a

Residual Sugar: 1 g/L
Finishing: Unfiltered
Production: 1,500 bottles
Closure: Screwcap
Vineyards: Kettenheim & Alzey – 1.5 ha

Farming Practices: Organic

Maceration: 24hr whole cluster
Fermentation: Stainless steel (800L) with
temperature control for 6 weeks