Peter Jakob Kühn 'Jacobus' Riesling Trocken, Rheingau, Germany 2023
The Kühn family has been making wine in Oestrich-Winkel in the Rheingau since 1786, when Jacobus Kühn — for whom this cuvée is named — established the dynasty. Now in its 12th generation, the estate is led by Peter Bernhard Kühn, who took over from his parents Peter Jakob and Angela after completing studies at Geisenheim University and a formative stint in Burgundy. In 2004, the family converted to biodynamic viticulture; they became Demeter-certified in 2007 and remain the pioneering biodynamic producer in the Rheingau. Members of the VDP and La Renaissance des Appellations, the Kühns farm 20 hectares planted to 95% Riesling across top sites in Oestrich, Mittelheim, and Hallgarten, including the VDP Große Lagen Doosberg and Mittelheim Sankt Nikolaus. Peter Jakob was named Gault Millau Winemaker of the Year in 2016. The Jacobus is the estate's entry-level wine and a blend of all Kühn holdings.
- WINEMAKER: Peter Bernhard Kühn
- FARMING: Certified Biodynamic (Demeter). Member, La Renaissance des Appellations. Hand cultivation; biodynamic preparations, compost, and herbal sprays. All grapes hand-harvested.
- VARIETY: 100% Riesling
- TERROIR: Rheingau, Germany. Sourced from the estate's holdings across Oestrich, Winkel, and Hallgarten on the north bank of the Rhine. South-facing slopes with quartzite and slate-based soils and the moderating influence of the Rhine. Cool, precise microclimate typical of the central Rheingau. 11.5% ABV.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested. Gentle whole-bunch pressing over several hours. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeast; natural must composition unaltered. No fining agents.
- AGING: Aged on full lees in a combination of traditional large wooden barrels and stainless steel tanks prior to bottling.
- TASTING NOTES: Smoke, caraway, lemongrass, white grapefruit, green apple, and fresh apricot on the nose, with a subtle mineral and herbal character. The palate is taut and slender, with fine tension, bright acidity, and a clean mineral finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Green asparagus, trout, goat's cheese, oysters, Thai green curry, sushi and sashimi, Vietnamese spring rolls.
- SCORES: Falstaff 92
Peter Jakob Kühn 'Jacobus' Riesling Trocken, Rheingau, Germany 2023
The Kühn family has been making wine in Oestrich-Winkel in the Rheingau since 1786, when Jacobus Kühn — for whom this cuvée is named — established the dynasty. Now in its 12th generation, the estate is led by Peter Bernhard Kühn, who took over from his parents Peter Jakob and Angela after completing studies at Geisenheim University and a formative stint in Burgundy. In 2004, the family converted to biodynamic viticulture; they became Demeter-certified in 2007 and remain the pioneering biodynamic producer in the Rheingau. Members of the VDP and La Renaissance des Appellations, the Kühns farm 20 hectares planted to 95% Riesling across top sites in Oestrich, Mittelheim, and Hallgarten, including the VDP Große Lagen Doosberg and Mittelheim Sankt Nikolaus. Peter Jakob was named Gault Millau Winemaker of the Year in 2016. The Jacobus is the estate's entry-level wine and a blend of all Kühn holdings.
- WINEMAKER: Peter Bernhard Kühn
- FARMING: Certified Biodynamic (Demeter). Member, La Renaissance des Appellations. Hand cultivation; biodynamic preparations, compost, and herbal sprays. All grapes hand-harvested.
- VARIETY: 100% Riesling
- TERROIR: Rheingau, Germany. Sourced from the estate's holdings across Oestrich, Winkel, and Hallgarten on the north bank of the Rhine. South-facing slopes with quartzite and slate-based soils and the moderating influence of the Rhine. Cool, precise microclimate typical of the central Rheingau. 11.5% ABV.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested. Gentle whole-bunch pressing over several hours. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeast; natural must composition unaltered. No fining agents.
- AGING: Aged on full lees in a combination of traditional large wooden barrels and stainless steel tanks prior to bottling.
- TASTING NOTES: Smoke, caraway, lemongrass, white grapefruit, green apple, and fresh apricot on the nose, with a subtle mineral and herbal character. The palate is taut and slender, with fine tension, bright acidity, and a clean mineral finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Green asparagus, trout, goat's cheese, oysters, Thai green curry, sushi and sashimi, Vietnamese spring rolls.
- SCORES: Falstaff 92