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We vinify traditional expressive wines in both “Premier Cru” and “Grand Cru” classifications. Alongside Riesling, which has been growing continuously in these soils for more than 100 years, we believe that Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the only varieties able to interpret the local terroir. The grapes for our wines always stem from our vineyards in and around Bad Kreuznach. We do not purchase any additional grapes or must. We intend to bottle as late as possible, but always when during tasting the wines tell us the right time.

In den Zehn Morgen stands for wines that are given time to develop in the barrel and the bottle – employing traditional handcraft in both a conservative and forward-looking way to create grand wines.

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“Sparkling Wine”

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2019 BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT NATURE

Falstaff 92 points

Our first sparkling wine – the 2019 Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature – is a vintage sparkling wine with traditional bottle fermentation produced from 100% Chardonnay from the Kahlenberg site. The Kreuznach site “Im Kahlenberg” is characterized by red and yellow sandstone, marl and river sediments. The hand harvest took place in middle of september 2019, followed by fractionated whole cluster pressing over eight hours and spontaneous fermentation in a traditional 2,500-liter cask of regional oak , where the wine also undertook its malolactic fermentation. Bottle fermentation and lees aging proceeded sur lattes for 24 months before the sparkling wine was disgorged without dosage in April 2022.

After the Blanc de Blancs foams significantly in the glass, the mousseux of this intense straw yellow sparkling wine becomes fine within seconds. Aromas of French patisserie with lemon cream and some lemon zest, of grapefruits and white peaches combined with some crushed stone, a touch of flint and of herbs rise from the glass. On the palate, the 2019 Blanc de Blancs offers a sensuously creamy texture in which the mousseux is finely woven and combines with, moreover, polished acidity and chalky minerality. All this provides the basis for a juicy yet firm white-fleshed and citrus fruit, some ginger, white pepper and puff pastry. It has become an intense and pleasantly punchy Blanc de Blancs.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

“Ortswein – Village Wine”

Our “Ortsweine” represent our special soil types quite unvarnished. They are all fermented spontaneously and aged naturally in wooden barrels and stainless steel. Already here our distinctive style with fine fruit and elegant structure shows.

SAND & KALKSTEIN

This cuvée is a mariage of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.

The Chardonnay comes from the vineyard named Pastorei, and, although Pastorei lays directly opposite the winery, it belongs to Bretzenheim and not to Kreuznach. Another part of the Chardonnay originates from Im Kahlenberg, which is rich on red and yellow sandstone. Weißburgunder was planted in the Kreuznacher Narrenkappe – another vineyard with sandstone as prime soil.

The grapes were harvested by hand and brought to the winery in small containers. We apply a whole cluster pressing, to create more delicate wines. The grapes fermented spontaneously in a temperature-controlled manner in stainless steel, before ripening on full yeast and later on the lees in stainless steel, as well as crafted in oak barrels with 2,600 L capacity.

The Sand & Limestone 2020 shines – the effect is gained through a bright yellow color. The cuvée smells elegant, juicy and delicately spicy. It starts with notes of green and yellow pears, accompanied by subtle hints of honeydew melon and vineyard peach. There is some stone next to the fruit and nuts, accompanied by a hint of lemon and apple peel.

Chardonnay and Weißburgunder in a blend provide a creamy texture on the palate. The fruit is reminiscent of ripe pears. It is permeated with a ripe and subtle acid. In addition to the silky, creamy aspect, you also get the impression that something piquant and tangy resonates – that provides the wine with an additional non-slip texture on the palate. This component, reminiscent of nuts and shells, also adds an additional dimension to the taste of Sand & Kalkstein Cuvée.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

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CHARDONNAY VOM KALKSTEIN

Falstaff 90 points

Until now, the batch of Chardonnay, which is now bottled varietally, has been blended into a cuvée of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc for the “Sand & Kalkstein”, but the two varieties and qualities deserve to be vinified and offered separately. The “Bretzenheimer Chardonnay vom Kalkstein” is a selection from the Bretzenheimer Pastorei, where the site wine is also produced. The Pastorei is characterized by tertiary sediments with clayey limestone marl. The grapes were hand-picked in early October 2021 and brought to the winery in small bunches. There they were pressed as whole clusters and, after a 72-hour sedimentation, fermented spontaneously and temperature-controlled in traditional 2,500-liter wooden casks. After partial malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged on full lees in its casks until June 2022. No batonnage was carried out. In July 2022, the “Chardonnay vom Kalkstein” was finally bottled after coarse filtration.

Pale yellow and bright, the Bretzenheimer Chardonnay vom Kalkstein 2021 appears in the glass where it offers aromatics of green and yellow pears, some firm white peach and ripe limequats combined with subtle hints of wood, vanilla and nuts. The wine is elegant, bright, delicately spicy, fresh and juicy on the nose, and that is exactly how the Bretzenheimer Chardonnay presents itself on the palate. Here, the bright and juicy fruit delivers significantly more citrus notes and punchier acidity than the silky Weisser Burgunder. In addition to the green apple and pear fruit, the Chardonnay also benefits here from crisp citrus and some green pineapple. Into the finish, the wine is clear, fresh, precise and electrifyingly mineral.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

WEISSER BURGUNDER VOM SANDSTEIN

Falstaff 89+ points

What was previously filled as Sand & Kalkstein in a cuvée of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, is created from this vintage as a single filling. The Kreuznacher Weisser Burgunder vom Sandstein is a selection from the Kreuznacher Narrenkappe, which is characterized by red sandstone and loess. The grapes were hand-picked at the end of October 2021 and brought to the winery in small bunches. There they were pressed as whole clusters and, after a 72-hour must sedimentation, fermented spontaneously and temperature-controlled in a traditional 2,500-liter wooden casks. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged on its full lees in its casks until June 2022. No batonnage was carried out. Finally, in July 2022, the “Weisser Burgunder vom Sandstein” was bottled after coarse filtration.

The 2021 Weisser Burgunder vom Sandstein shines in a medium straw yellow and opens with notes of juicy ripe yellow apples and pears along with some peel, hints of almonds and nuts and overlying acacia and lime blossoms. On the palate, the wine is silky and elegant with a lively and fine acid structure and a very light grip on the palate. Juiciness is paramount here, and that in conjunction with a fine melt, with white-fleshed fruit and hints of blond tobacco and of apple skin.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

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KREUZNACHER RIESLING

Falstaff 91 points, VINUM Riesling Champion 92 points – Best of 178 Riesling village wines

The Riesling comes from the local vineyards of Kreuznach, which include the Steinberg as a monopollage, as well as the Narrenkappe, Aufm Schlossberg, Krötenpfuhl, Kauzenberg and Im Kahlenberg sites. The soils have a wide range of different geological compositions left by the Nahe River in its former riverbeds. In addition to yellow and red sandstone, marl and loess provide as much character as gravel and terrace gravel.

The Riesling grapes were hand-picked and brought to the winery in small bunches, where a whole cluster pressing was performed. The Riesling was then fermented spontaneously in stainless steel under temperature control, and then aged first on full lees and later on fine lees in stainless steel.

The dry Kreuznacher Riesling 2021 shows a light straw yellow color. The aroma is determined by bright notes reminiscent of green as well as yellow apples, Reineclauden, lemons with a few squirts of lime. The fruit is accompanied by garden herbs and stony notes. The palate shows great independence. The Kreuznacher Riesling 2021 is bright and clear as a bell here as well. Amalfi and cedar lemons mingle with chalky notes and herbs. What excites here is the creamy texture, reminiscent of lemon curd, countered by a present citrus acidity. The finish is marked by an interplay between a subtle sweetness of ripe fruit and a saltiness that provides plenty of drinkability.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

KREUZNACHER GRAUER BURGUNDER

Falstaff 91 points

The Pinot Gris grapes were harvested by hand and brought to the winery in small bins and vinified in two different ways. In one, the whole bunches were fermented intracellularly using macération carbonique and aged in used barrique for another 8 months after pressing. In the other batch, the whole grapes were pressed and aged spontaneously in stainless steel barrels for 11 months on the full lees. The two versions were then cuvéed 80:20.

The Kreuznacher Grauburgunder 2021 shows a medium straw yellow and smells discreetly but persistently of both fresh and slightly crumbly yellow apple, which combines with a spicy piquant note right from the start, just as if there was a bit of peel involved and also the odd nut.

On the palate, the wine is dominated by this same spice, which seems to be a bit more dominant here than the yellow friable fruit. Herbs, nuts and apple peel can be found in the taste picture as well as blond tobacco and stone. The “Kreuznacher Grauer Burgunder” is characterized by a successful balance of juiciness and the aforementioned spicy aspects. In addition, there is a pleasant, very light tannin that provides a fine texture on the palate, furthermore a lively acidity that gives the Pinot Gris its lively backbone.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

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KREUZNACHER PINOT NOIR ROSÉ

The Pinot Noir comes from the “Kreuznacher Hofgarten”, which is characterized by stony-sandy loam and loess. The Pinot Noir grapes were harvested by hand and brought to the winery in small containers, where they were fermented spontaneously and temperature-controlled in stainless steel, then aged first on the full lees and then on the fine lees in stainless steel.

In the glass, the Kreuznacher Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 shows an intense salmon color with a light ruby reflection. Already in the fragrance one senses that this is a pleasantly fresh and rather spicy rosé, in which drinking pleasure is combined with complexity. Sweet and sour cherries can be sensed here, as well as red currants and barberry. Along with the fruit, there is a bit of underbrush, blond tobacco and crushed limestone.

The palate confirms what the nose predicted. The 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé opens with a very slightly sweet fruit of wild raspberries, but this ripe fruit by no means remains the defining element. Rather, it is also here the spicy and dry wood reminiscent tart notes that make the rosé complex and make it an excellent food companion. At the same time, the fresh acidity structure and elegant fruit make it fun and entertaining to drink.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

ROSENHECK RIESLING KABINETT

This wonderful Riesling comes from the Kreuznacher Rosenheck. The southeast-facing vineyard is located in the Kreuznach district of Winzenheim and is 160 to 200 meters above sea level. The clayey-marly loam soils provide ripe fruit and substance. The Riesling grapes were hand-picked and brought to the winery in small bunches, where a whole cluster pressing was performed. The Riesling was then fermented spontaneously in stainless steel under temperature control and then aged first on full lees and later on fine lees in stainless steel.

The light yellow 2022 Kreuznacher Rosenheck Riesling Kabinett smells fine and lively. In the foreground are notes of a juicy Granny Smith apple and of ripe lemons. The cool fruit is accompanied by delicate white flowers, herbs and mineral notes.

On the palate, the Kabinett Riesling is exceedingly lively and precisely balanced between fruit sweetness and a punchy citrus acidity. Again, the wine is bright and clear with its aromas of yellow and green pome fruit, stone fruit and lemons. The simultaneous presence of sweetness, acidity and salinity makes for great drinkability in the Rosenheck, which is enhanced by the great juiciness on the finish.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

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KREUZNACHER PINOT NOIR

Falstaff 90 points

For the Kreuznacher Pinot Noir, plots in the Kreuznacher Hofgarten and in the Pastorei are available and thus terroirs of stony sandy loam with loess admixtures as well as with clayey limestone marl. The grapes were harvested by hand in September 2020, destemmed and, after six days of cold maceration at 8 °C, fermented spontaneously for five days. Remontage, i.e. flooding of the cap, was carried out only once a day. The free-run juice and the slow-pressed juice were vinified separately. The reductive aging was carried out partly in new and partly in 300-liter and 500-liter barrels, already occupied several times, for twelve months. After the wines were blended, a further ten months of aging took place in 40-year-old double barrels until unfiltered bottling in July 2022.

The Kreuznacher Pinot Noir 2020 presents itself in a slightly transparent ruby red. It offers an attack of slightly smoky and stony elements typical of reductive Pinots, which combine with notes of crushed oats, underbrush, peat, some cassis and cherries. On the palate, the Pinot Noir shows mouthwatering juiciness, salinity and freshness in both red and black berry fruit. One also still finds the spice and smokiness that was already so prominent in the aroma. But it ties in even more clearly here with the fruit, which is dominated by sour cherries and berries to a very pleasing degree. That alone seems crisp, but it’s enhanced by the subtle tannic rip and the stony mineral notes. This is a Pinot Noir with substance, but even now it makes for distinct drinking pleasure, especially with a little air.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

BRETZENHEIMER CHARDONNAY

Falstaff 91+ points

The Chardonnay comes from the upper clay and limestone-rich area of the Pastorei site. Although this site, characterized by tertiary sediments, is located directly opposite the winery, it belongs to neighboring Bretzenheim and not to Kreuznach. The Chardonnay was fermented spontaneously after hand harvesting and whole cluster pressing and aged for ten months in used tonneau. The Bretzenheim Chardonnay 2021 shows a light straw yellow color. On the nose, it combines a present yet elegant fruit of predominantly yellow apples and pears as well as some Reineclauden with a slight addition of Meyer lemons. The fruit combines with hints of blond tobacco and ripe almonds.

On the palate, the site Chardonnay is juicy and fresh with a clear and precise fruit of pome fruits and citrus fruits that bring a slightly tart and zesty note as well as a lively acidity. The Chardonnay glides across the palate with a slight melt. The wood used frames the fruit, but remains very discreetly in the background. The wine is characterized by a vital minerality and a punchy acidity structure that allows the Chardonnay to shine brightly.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

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Erste Lage – Premier Cru

Our Premier Cru wines are vinified from Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Premier Cru wines are bottled every year and from our experience are exceptional but at the same time also accessible at a slightly earlier stage.

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RIESLING KAHLENBERG

The Kreuznach site “Im Kahlenberg” is south-facing and is characterized by red and yellow sandstone from the Rotliegende period with limestone marl intercalations as well as river sediments and a little quartzite. The grapes were vinified in different ways: one part was processed by whole bunch pressing, another part received 6 hours of standing time. The Riesling was then fermented spontaneously in stainless steel and large wooden barrels, then aged on full lees for ten months.

Radiant in medium straw yellow, the Riesling shows its charming and inviting side. Notes of ripe apples meet a bit of crisp stone fruit. This is accompanied on the nose by the slightly sweet, but above all tart and also green, but ripe notes of bitter lemon.

On the palate, the Riesling offers a silky elegant texture. The acidity initially seems ripe and also silky, but then it builds more and more pressure. The wine appears lean and is present with a clear mineral component that provides energy and play. Alongside the crisp fruit are spicy elements reminiscent of curry. Finally, a slight saltiness provides drinkability.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

RIESLING STEINBERG.MONOPOL

Falstaff 91+ points

The Riesling stands in a soil of terraced gravel with sand and loess admixtures. The Riesling matured for 10 months on the fine lees. The grapes were harvested by hand and brought to the winery in small bunches, where a whole cluster pressing was performed. The Riesling was then spontaneously fermented in large wooden barrels and aged on the full lees for ten months.

Radiant in medium straw yellow, the Riesling from this monopollage is a fruit-driven, open and inviting wine. The deep soil provides volume and a ripe pome and especially stone fruit. On the nose, the wine seems downright creamy, which is accompanied by a subtle yeasty note. It is as if the ripe apricots and yellow apples had been given a dollop of clotted cream on English scones. At the same time, the Riesling shows a subtle citrus note of ripe grapefruit and kumquats as well as candied ginger.

On the palate, the wine lines the mouth with a comforting ripe fruit. The Steinberg is a flatterer, a charmer straight out of a picture book. In addition to the ripe fruit, the wine’s underlying acidity and stoniness are fascinating. The acidity builds up very slowly, remains in the background, as it were, and only becomes present at the second sip. Then, however, it clearly shapes the Riesling and makes for a prancing and lively finish.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

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RIESLING NARRENKAPPE

Falstaff 91 points

The Kreuznacher Narrenkappe is located above the village between Hargesheim and Winzenheim. The vineyard is characterized by red soils with a weak loess layer. The Riesling was fermented spontaneously in unoaked tonneaux from the fifth racking, and then aged on the lees for ten months. There was no bâtonnage, only a large filtration in August 2020, after which the wine aged for another three-quarters of a year in bottle.

Clear and pure, it initially offers aromas of violets and white flowers, before moving on to some ginger, curry leaves and lemon peel. There are also notes of grapefruit, a white peach and a yellow apple, which combine with a bit of lanolin and a distinctly stony component in the aroma.

The wine has a sinewy body tension that is present from the first moment and that continues as a crystalline acidic arc into the finish. In between, the spiciness of the Rotliegende flashes again, the energy inherent in this rock accompanied here by a lining light creamy texture.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

PASTOREI CHARDONNAY

Falstaff 93 points

The Chardonnay comes from the upper clay and limestone-rich area of the Pastorei site. Although this site, characterized by tertiary sediments, is located directly across from the winery, it belongs to neighboring Bretzenheim and not to Kreuznach. The Chardonnay was fermented spontaneously after hand harvesting and whole cluster pressing and aged for ten months in used tonneau.

The 2019 Chardonnay Pastorei shows a bright straw yellow color. On the nose, it combines a present yet elegant fruit of predominantly yellow apples and pears and some Reineclauden with a slight addition of Meyer lemons. The fruit combines with hints of blond tobacco and ripe almonds.

On the palate, the site Chardonnay is juicy and fresh with a clear and precise fruit of pome fruits and citrus fruits that contribute a slightly tart and zesty note as well as a lively acidity. The Chardonnay glides across the palate with a slight melt. The wood used frames the fruit, but remains very discreetly in the background. The wine is characterized by a vital minerality and a punchy acidity structure that allows the Chardonnay to shine brightly.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

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HOFGARTEN PINOT NOIR

Falstaff 91+ points

As the name makes clear, this 2019 Pinot Noir comes from the “Kreuznacher Hofgarten”, which can be found just west of the Kahlenberg. The vineyard is characterized by stony sandy loam with loess admixtures. The grapes were hand-picked at 90 °Oe with a yield of 35 hl/ha, brought to the winery in small vats, sorted, destemmed and subjected to cold maceration for five days. The wine then fermented spontaneously for four days, was then taken off the skins and completed its fermentation in 500-liter second-age barrels. After 18 months, the Pinot was bottled unfiltered.

The Pinot Noir “Hofgarten” shows in a very remarkable way the great potential for Pinot Noir on the Nahe. When you sniff into the glass here, you have to ask yourself involuntarily why the variety has not long been more present, so fine, so elegant and clear seems the “Hofgarten”. What becomes clear at first is the use of wood, which is certainly present, but subtle and elegant. Second growth wood supports the dark, but always fresh and juicy notes of berries and juicy dark cherries. Behind this is a subtle spice of dried herbs, a hint of cinnamon bark and some dry underbrush. Throughout, the wine remains high-toned and very lively.

This liveliness is also evident on the palate, where the Pinot Noir “Hofgarten” is guided by a clear and precise acid structure. The wine has power and depth, opening on the palate with a fruit of macerated berries and plums, as well as spice reminiscent of paprika essence, smoke and wood. The wine shows a slight warmth here, and at the same time cool stony and mineral components bring themselves into the mix. The tannin here is fine and carries the Pinot Noir with elegance.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

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Große Lage – Grand Cru

Our Grand Cru wines are vinified from Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Grand Cru wines are bottled only from exceptional vintages. Time, patience and individual sensory characteristics are decisive. Expressive and particularly full of character, they are not only an extract of our very best vines but above all the result of our pursuit of unique wines.

KRÖTENPFUHL RIESLING

Falstaff 92 points

The Kreuznach site Auf dem Krötenpfuhl is located above the village with only a slight slope in south-southwest exposure. The soil is characterized by terrace gravel and sand with loess. The Riesling grapes were harvested by hand and brought to the winery in small bunches, where a whole cluster pressing was performed. The Riesling was then fermented spontaneously in stainless steel under temperature control, and then aged initially on full lees and later on fine lees in stainless steel for ten months.

The Riesling Krötenpfuhl is spicy and quite taut in its fruit reminiscent of lemons and limes. Herbs are involved here, along with crushed stone, white flowers and, in addition to the citrus fruit, a little abrasion from the peel.

On the palate, the Riesling appears bright and clear with its incisive acidity, which extends its arc from the first moment until well into the finish, which is dominated by a mouthwatering saltiness. Lemons and limes dominate here as well, with yellow and green ripe fruit. The wine grips the palate directly, is grippy and punchy. Herbs and stony elements can be found alongside the fruit. The longer the Riesling lingers on the palate, the more vibrant the acidity and minerality become. It shows a lot of energy that is just beginning to flow and has great potential.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)

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AUFM SCHLOSSBERG RIESLING

Falstaff 91+ points

The vineyard Aufm Schlossberg is located directly on the Kauzenberg. The plot of two acres, or half a hectare, slopes steeply down to the Nahe River and is characterized by yellow and red sandstone and a bit of gravel. The Riesling grapes were hand-picked at 83 °Oe and brought to the winery in small bunches. After destemming, the grapes were given a standing time of four hours before the juice was spontaneously fermented in stainless steel. This was followed by an aging period of ten months on the lees. There was no bâtonnage, only a coarse filtration in August 2020, after which the wine matured in bottle for another three-quarters of a year.

Enjoying the Riesling Aufm Schlossberg 2020 is a sensual experience. The wine captivates with its calm and seemingly relaxed nature, but behind which hides a deep power and energy. On the nose, this is expressed in a creamy note that combines with pears and yellow apples, citrus and a little stone fruit. Behind this are stone and a little light tobacco, where you think you can already guess the extract that the wine possesses.

On the palate, the complexity and greatness of this Riesling from the Sandstone then gradually builds. Initially reveals a silky and round mouthfeel with notes of white-fleshed ripe fruit and a little orange. Then the acidity becomes more dominant as well as more demanding, creating a drinking flow that is impossible to resist, especially as the Riesling becomes increasingly salty and mineral. Tonic and energetic, the wine comes across as a good wine, although it keeps that round and ripe mouthfeel present the whole time, creating an impressive balance.

Text by: Christoph Raffelt (www.originalverkorkt.de)