Koehler-Ruprecht Chardonnay Pfalz Spätlese Trocken 2022

94 POINTS: Stuart Pigott, James Suckling

100% Chardonnay

“What a striking nose of orange blossom, hazelnut and fresh pineapple this German chardonnay has, the delicate oak character already impeccably integrated on the medium- to full-bodied palate. I love the combination of silky texture, excellent concentration and vitality through the very long, precise finish. Drink or hold.”
— 94 Points, Stuart Pigott, James Suckling

The 120-year-old Annaberg vineyard and its south-facing slope of rich soils inflected with sand and chalk is perfect for the estate's unique expression of Chardonnay. After being hand-harvested, the grapes are pressed outside in the courtyard. The juices settle in stainless steel tanks and then are racked by gravity into the underground cellar's myriad of casks. The majority of which are large oak called stück, halbstück and dopplestück (1200L, 600L, 2400L). There is no temperature control in the cellar, and fermentation can take weeks or months. Malolactic fermentation is not monitored: it either happens or doesn’t. The wines stay on their lees for about eight months and a light filtration is performed before bottling.

ABV: 13%