Donnhoff Nahe Tonschiefer Riesling Trocken Dry Slate 2023

Alcohol: 12%

Grape(s): 100% Riesling

Localization: Nahe, Germany

Tasting Notes: The nose is shy but shows a savory, herbal note of fern, tender lemons and a certain stoniness. The palate is beautifully restrained, crystal-clear, stony and pervaded by clear-cut lemon brightness, finishing bone dry with a touch of ripe lemon zest. Lovely and elegant. (Bone-dry)

Notes:  The Riesling Tonschiefer was mainly picked in the Oberhäuser Leistenberg (80%) and a neighboring site, both on Tonschiefer or shale, plus younger vines from the Klamm and the Hermannshöhle. It is made in stainless steel only. 

The Domain: The Dönnhoff Family is proud to call Oberhausen an der Nahe home. Running from Niederhausen to Schloßböckelheim, the majestic landscapes of the Nahe Valley have held sway over us for more than 250 years. The first official mention of the Dönnhoff name dates back to 1761; the family‘s own history book details the early flowering of 1781 and the bumper grape harvest of 1784. Helmut Dönnhoff‘s grandfather laid the cornerstone for the estate‘s success. Right from the outset Hermann Dönnhoff (1880-1953) focused his attention on planting Riesling vines in prized vineyards, and by the 1920s was filling his wines into bottles and selling the finest of them by their individual vineyard names. We owe our undying thanks to his son Hermann Jr. (1916-1991) not just for the cultivation of our “Oberhäuser Brücke” site, but also for the construction of the press house in 1936 and the estate‘s first cellar space. In 1953 the estate received a Merit of Honor from the government for its outstanding viticultural achievements.

The grandchild of the estate‘s founder, Helmut Dönnhoff, paved the way for international success by establishing an enduring quality and style in his wines. His vintages would in fact become a byword for renowned German Rieslings the world over. Following his training at his parents‘ estate and university studies in winegrowing, he assumed responsibility for both vineyard and cellar starting in 1971. “Extraordinary wines are based on extraordinary vineyards. I‘m fortunate to have had the opportunity to acquire several world-class sites and in some cases to resume cultivation. It remains very much a privilege for me to produce wine from vineyards of such exceptional quality. It‘s more than I ever could have dreamed when I first started working.” This deep understanding of grand wines and grand vineyards was passed on from father to son to grandson. The fourth generation now holds the reins: Cornelius Dönnhoff. He began his training in 1999 and, after a series of positions abroad, in 2007 returned to assume responsibility for the estate – initially for the vineyard and cellar, and now for all aspects of the operation. History continues, but the estate remains what it has always been: a family affair in every sense.