Dr. H. Thanisch, “Graacher Himmelreich” GG Riesling
Dr. H. Thanisch, “Graacher Himmelreich” GG Riesling

Dr. H. Thanisch, “Graacher Himmelreich” GG Riesling

Mosel, Germany 2018 (750mL)
Regular price$39.00
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Dr. H. Thanisch, “Graacher Himmelreich” GG Riesling

Not only is 2018 one of the finest vintages this century in the Mosel, but it is also Thanisch's first release under the new GG (Great Growth) of the elite Bernkasteler Ring association. Like Grosses Gewächs—but technically not the same!—it has high benchmarks for quality: It must be dry with at least Spätlese-levels of ripeness; it must pass a blind tasting conducted by a panel of winemakers; and it cannot be released until September 1st of the following year after harvest. 


The roots of the old vines in the Himmelreich Kingdom of Heaven vineyard go deep down into slate to find moisture. The steep vineyard above the village of Graach is located on the world's largest single stretch of Riesling, between Bernkastel - Graach - Wehlen - Zeltingen in the Mosel valley. Before climate change arrived in the Mosel, it was near-impossible to produce such a GG quality which requires fully ripened and healthy grapes that could be fermented fully dry. 

This 2018 shows incredible layers despite its infancy: Kaffir lime, green mango, white peach, pineapple, Meyer lemon, and tangerine blast out of the glass like a cannon and releases savory shrapnel in the form of crushed white rock, smoke, candied ginger, salted citrus, gunflint, dried herbs, acacia, grapefruit zest, and honeysuckle. It’s bold and assertive, unafraid to flaunt its searing minerality and gorgeous layers of ripe yet nervy fruit. Prepare to stand back in awe as this storms your palate. It’s big, intense, rich, dry, and electrifying. We cannot wait to track this wine over the years and decades to come! 

Dr. H. Thanisch, “Graacher Himmelreich” GG Riesling
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Germany

Western Germany

Pfalz

The Pfalz is Germany’s second-largest wine region (behind Rheinhessen, which it borders to the south). The vineyards are situated between the thickly forested Haardt Mountains and the western bank of the Rhine River, with soils that are rich in loam mixed with sandstone, loess (wind-blown silt), and chalky clay.

Western Germany

Rheinhessen

he Rheinhessen is Germany’s largest-production wine zone and, in comparison to some of the dramatic valleys further north, is a more open landscape of gently rolling hills.

Western Germany

Saar

The Saar River is a tributary of the Mosel (and in-cluded in the broader “Mosel-Saar-Ruwer”) PDO designation with vineyards perched on steep slopes of blue Devonian slate. The rocky soils and cool temperatures of these northerly valleys produce Germany’s most chiseled, high-acid  styles of Riesling.

Southwestern Germany

Baden

Baden, Germany’s southernmost wine region, has a long history with the “Pinot” family. The region’s vineyards were planted by the same Cistercian Monks who established Pinot Noir in Burgundy. Bordered by the Rhine River and the Black Forest, Baden has diverse soils—everything from loess (silt) to volcanic tuff to limestone, the most prized Pinot Noir soil of all.

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