Weingut Dönnhoff, led today by Cornelius Dönnhoff after decades under his father Helmut, is the reference estate of the Nahe and one of Germany's most celebrated Riesling producers. The family farms a string of top sites along the river, each with its own geology, and is known for wines of exceptional clarity and transparency to place. Felsenberg, a Grosse Lage (top-classified vineyard) in Schlossböckelheim, is a precipitous slope of volcanic rock, and its "Felsentürmchen" parcel takes its name from the small stone tower that crowns it.

As a Grosses Gewächs, this is a dry Riesling from a top-classified site, Germany's equivalent of a Grand Cru. The 2023 fermented spontaneously with native yeasts and aged in a combination of traditional large German oak casks (Stückfass) and stainless steel. The volcanic soils lend a smoky, flinty character that sits alongside high natural acidity and striking concentration.

Why You'll Love It

• Benchmark dry Grosses Gewächs Riesling from one of the Nahe's great volcanic sites.
• White peach, pink grapefruit, and lime zest on the nose, with lemongrass and smoky flint.
• The palate is concentrated yet razor-sharp, carried by a vibrant line of acidity.
• A long, stony finish that lingers with crushed-rock minerality.
• Impressive now with air, and built to age gracefully for two decades or more.

How To Serve It

• Serve chilled, between 48°F and 52°F.
• Decant for about 30 minutes in its youth to let the tight volcanic aromatics open.
• Pour into all-purpose white wine stems to capture its intense bouquet.
• Pair with seared scallops with brown butter and lime, roast pork loin with caramelized apples, cold-smoked salmon with crème fraîche, or Thai green curry.