GABEL ESTATE RIESLING PFALZ 2022
Gabel Estate in the Pfalz region of Germany has over 350 YEARS of history, making wine in Herxheim am Berg since the 17th century, evidence of which can be found in the wooden casks – some centuries old – in the vaulted cellar of their estate. After the 30-year war, craftsmen from Tyrol came in droves to the Pfalz, which was at that time depopulated, to help its rehabilitation. Caspar Gabel was amongst them and, in 1655, founded the wine estate, which has been family-owned ever since. In commemoration of him the South Tyrolean grape variety Lagrein was planted.
Today Oliver Gabel (THE 13TH GENERATION!) runs the winery. To him, winegrowing means, first and foremost, an honest trade and a deep bond with soil and plant. Since his apprenticeship in Burgundy and Baden his focus has been on the Pinot varieties, mainly Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. While he continuously strives to develop his own wine style, he stays true to artisan winegrowing and winemaking practices, such as fermentation in wooden barrels or open fermenters. All wines are certified organic.
As with any good German winery, Riesling also plays a key role and this particular one comes from Estate vineyard fruit. Elegant, dry, this Riesling is fermented in 100-year-old casks which lead to a nice minerality and good fruit showing off a combination of floral notes, citrus and white peach, and a touch of smoky minerality.
Delicious as an aperitif, or with some Asian-inspired seafood dishes.
