Hattenheim Pfaffenberg Riesling GG

Pfaffenberg is one of the quieter vineyard sites of the Rheingau – less well-known than Steinberg or Marcobrunn, but prized by connoisseurs for its deep loess loam soils over quartzite. Künstler vinifies this Riesling as a Grosses Gewächs: hand-harvested, dry, with the aim of letting the vineyard's character speak for itself.

In the glass, the 2021 vintage displays ripe apricot and mirabelle plum, along with a delicate herbal spiciness and a hint of white pepper in the background. The acidity is present but integrated—not harsh, but a smooth, even flow that carries the wine through its long finish. The texture is dense without being heavy.

Drinking recommendation:

• Drinking window: now until 2033, with air or at its peak after 2–3 years of storage
• Temperature: 11–13 °C
• Pairs well with: pan-fried red mullet with fennel, sweetbreads, mature Gruyère cheese, or a classic Wiener Schnitzel with lemon.