On the next day we visited the estate Wittmann in the commune of Westhofen. Wittmann is together with Keller the TOP estate in the region Rheinhessen. It is a bewitching place with a wonderful, big garden. Philipp Wittmann presented the 07 portfolio and cask sample of the Grand Cru Rieslings or also called “Große Gewächse”. Before his wife Eva showed us the wine-cellar.
Documents show the family Wittmann has been involved in wine production since 1663. The vineyard area totals 25 hectares with parcels/holdings in the Aulerde, Kirchspiel and Morstein sites, all in Westhofen. The vineyards were converted to organic farming as long ago as 1990 and since 2004 the even stricter rules of bio-dynamic viticulture has been applied.
http://www.snakvin.com/foto/displayimag ... m=93&pos=0
MainBuilding of the estate: http://www.snakvin.com/foto/displayimag ... m=93&pos=1
Wine-Cellar: http://www.snakvin.com/foto/displayimag ... m=93&pos=3
Tasting-Room: http://www.snakvin.com/foto/displayimag ... m=93&pos=4
Tasting with Philipp Wittmann: http://www.snakvin.com/foto/displayimag ... m=93&pos=8
Rose-Garden: http://www.snakvin.com/foto/displayimag ... m=93&pos=6
Garden: http://www.snakvin.com/foto/displayimag ... m=93&pos=7
07 Silvaner Estate
Spicy with flavors of mirabelle, mint and herbs
07 Silvaner S
herbs, anise and a bit medical. Promising Silvaner!
07 Weißer Burgunder
fresh and linear structured, good food-wine
07 Grauer Burgunder
creamy with a certain kind of elegance, nice fruit and structure
07 Westhofener Riesling S
Terrific QPR! Blossoms, herbs and a fine minerality, shows balance and grace with an impressive structure. Taste like a Grand Cru Riesling or “Großes Gewächs” BUY
07 Aulerde Grand Cru Riesling/GG
Westhofener southern to southeastern vineyard slopes rise from the glacial valley of the Rhine to the rim of a high plateau. The Aulerde vineyard lies at the foot of the Kirchspiel site. It is the warmest of Westhofener sites. The upper layers of a small portion of Aulerde are heavy clayish marl with only a very small amount of limestone. The subsoil contains clayish or gravelly sand.
Very ripe, dense fruit. Very difficult to evaluate, as the wine is quite closed at this stage.
07 Kirchspiel Grand Cru Riesling/GG
The Kirchspiel site opens toward the Rhine like an amphitheatre. Its east and southeastern exposure protects the vineyard from cold westerly winds. The soil structure is similar to that of the Morstein site, marked by clayish marl interspersed with limestone. Limestone is the predominant component of the subsoil, too.
As always “Kirchspiel” shows pure minerality with all elements of a TOP Riesling. Release in september,
07 Morstein Grand Cru Riesling/GG
Morstein is situated on the south-facing slope that stretches from Gundersheim to Westhofen. The subsoil consists of massive limestone rocks.
WOW, as good as the outstanding `05 or even better. Powerful Riesling with the perfect mix of fruit and minerality. Release in september. BUY
07 Morstein Auslese
pure nectar! very concentrated fruit. light at its feet.
Fine juice.
07 Morstein Auslese GK
Elegance par excellence. Great play between fruit and acidity. Lovely freshness. Perfect!
07 Kirchspiel BA
too overdone at the moment. sweetness pure. needs time.
Mini-Morstein GG-Vertical
06: fine, but clearly not as good as 05 or 07
05: terrfic as always!
04: really nice, was the marriage-wine of Phil.&Eva