Zilliken Ockfener Bockstein GG

The Ockfener Bockstein vineyard is one of the great Saar sites – blue slate, steep slope, Riesling with real structure. Zilliken's Grosses Gewächs from this terroir is not a wine for a quick evening, but one that needs time and rewards it.

The Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken winery is located in Saarburg and has been run by the Zilliken family for generations. The Bockstein vineyard in Ockfen is one of their prized holdings: blue slate soils on a steep south-facing slope, slow ripening, and pronounced minerality. The Riesling vines here grow on one of the coolest terroirs in the Saar region – which explains the acidity and aging potential.

In the glass, the GG displays aromas of peach kernel, white peach, and dried apricot, underpinned by flint and a hint of herbal spice. The palate is dense and creamy with an acidity that supports the wine without being harsh. The finish is long and saline, with that typical slate minerality that distinguishes the Saar from other Riesling regions.

Recommendation: Serve chilled at 10–12 °C. Pairs well with pike-perch fillet with caper butter, scallops, or aged mountain cheese. Drinking window: 2025–2035.