Riesling 'Fritz's' 2008 - Fritz Hasselbach - Rheinhessen, Germany

The Grape

Riesling.

The Place

The Rheinhessen is one of thirteen Anbaugebiet, or wine regions, in Germany.  Tucked away between the Rheingau to the north, the Nahe to the west and the Pfalz to the south, the Rheinhessen lays on the eastern flanks of the Rhein River.  Although Riesling is the unofficial grape of Germany, a mix of grapes are grown throughout the Rheinhessen as there significant plantings of Muller-Thurgau, Silvaner, and Pinot Noir, among others.  The most exciting vineyards are located on the eastern end along the banks of the Rhein.

The Fritz's Riesling cuvee comes from the winemaker at Gunderloch, Fritz Hasselbach.  Made from a selection of grapes sourced from vineyards throughout the 'Roter Hang' in the Rheinhessen, Hasselbach has crafted a cuvee that has all the hallmarks of a wine produced by the highly regarded Gunderloch Estate, but is available at a more affordable price point.  The Roter Hang is an area along the Rhein River between Nackenheim and Nierstein that is known for the mineral-rich red slate soil.

The Vintage

2008 was a selective, but large harvest.  Similar to the crop size of 1999, the vintage ended during the last week of October.


In the glass, the wine is vibrant and jumping out of the glass with peaches, pears, and bright green granny smith apple fruit on the nose.  There are strong notes of wet stone as well.  On the palate, the wine is refreshingly bright with intense green apples and peaches.  Off-dry, this wine is meant to be drunk young to capture the clean and bright texture.  This wine can age for a couple of years and I might lay down a few bottles to see how they evolve.


I would have this by itself with friends as an aperitif before dinner, but that's just me.  With food, anything involving light, white-fleshed fish.  How about some grilled scallops with a citrus beurre-blanc?


Retail

$12-$16.

Restaurant

$30-$40.