Taste: In the glass, this is a pale golden hue. The nose opens with a touch of pine resin and crushed slate giving way to layers of ripe nectarine, white peach, and macerated apricot. Delicate floral tones and hints of citrus zest add lift. On the palate, it’s light and refined, with a precise interplay between juicy fruit and brisk acidity. Notes of stone fruit, lime blossom, and saline minerality carry through the long, crystalline finish. The texture is silky and almost weightless, carried by a undercurrent of minerality and fine phenolic grip.
Critical Acclaim: “From very old vines, the 2021 Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese is clear, precise and elegant yet also complex on the nose that offers bright cherry and fruit aromas. On the palate, this is a light, refined and elegant, very delicate and light-footed Spätlese with remarkable finesse and fine phenolic grip. It's stimulatingly saline and grippy on the finish. 8% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022.” 93 Points, Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
"There is a whiff of pine that is followed by juicy nectarine and macerated apricot notes in this lush spätlese. It’s balanced and very expressive, with prominent acidity that flows authoritatively, but it is well merged with the rest of the elements. ‡ A.Z.” 92 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Pairing: A Spätlese of this balance and energy pairs beautifully with dishes that highlight freshness, spice, or subtle richness. Keep in mind some simple guidelines: match its sweetness to gentle heat or spice, let acidity cut through richness, and avoid anything overly smoky or bitter.
About: The Dönnhoff family has called Oberhausen an der Nahe home for more than 250 years. Their history stretches across the Nahe Valley, from Niederhausen to Schloßböckelheim, where steep, stony slopes meet the river’s winding banks. The first documented mention of the Dönnhoff name dates to 1761, and the family’s own records note both the early flowering of 1781 and the exceptional harvest of 1784. These early entries mark the beginning of what would become one of Germany’s most respected wine estates.
