Vom Herzstück der Westhofener Steingrube
Die Einzellage Steingrube liegt in unmittelbarer Nachbarschaft zum Ortsgemeinde Westhofen. Bereits 1295 erstmals urkundlich erwähnt, weist der Flurname auf einen ehemaligen Steinbruch hin. Bildet pleistozäner Löss die Hauptbodenart, so findet sich hier auch der rare Terra Rossa. Entstanden aus den tertiären Meeresablagerungen eines Kalkalgenriffs, verfügt der heute zu Rotlehm verwitterte Boden über beste Eigenschaften für den Anbau von Weinreben. Auch der Sauvignon Blanc läuft hier, insbesondere unter der Obhut von Winzerin Gesine Roll, zur Bestform auf. "Sehr vereinnahmende Aromen nach frischer Minze, reifer Grapefruit und Stachelbeeren. Im Mund kommt dazu gleich eine unglaubliche mineralische Komplexität, die den ganzen Gaumen in Anspruch nimmt. Dazu sehr präzise Aromen von Südfruchten, reifer Mango, Papaya und Physalis. Opulenz und dabei elegant und sehr finessenreich." So die "Königin des Sauvignon Blanc".
"Elegant, dicht und intensiv" schreibt Stephan Reinhardt
The 2022 Westhofen Sauvignon Blanc Terra Rossa comes from Weedenborn's oldest vines planted in 2001 on iron-rich limestone and was vinified in 60% oak (1,600-liter stück from Stockinger) and 40% stainless steel. It opens with a pure, remarkably refined and elegant bouquet of yellow grapefruits, green figs and ripe dates intertwined with delicate herbal, smoky and saline notes. Very elegant and refined on the palate, this is a medium to full-bodied, dense and finely tannic Sauvignon Blanc with a citric, refreshing, intense and textural finish. Gesine's decision to market the wine nine months after the bottling was a wise one. Bottled in July 2023, to be released in March 2024. 12.5% stated alcohol. Screw cap. Tasted at the domaine in August 2023. Gesine is "quite happy" with the 2022 vintage. She had far fewer problems with drought stress, as the limestone-rich Westhofen hillside vineyards, with their water-storing loess soils, are very well supplied with water. There are a total of four wells on the site, one of which has a capacity of 10,000 to 12,000 liters per day. There is no waterlogging due to the good drainage. The harvest was completed in 2022 on September 26, just before the big rains, which would have brought more abundance than she would have liked. "The grapes were ripe to the point," she says happily, while the 2019 and 2020 vintages were more on the riper side and the 2021 vintage was on the just-ripe side of the golden mean. The 2022 is exactly where she likes it best: in the golden mean.
James Suckling im November 2023 über den Weedenborn Sauvignon Blanc Terra Rossa trocken Rheinhessen 2022:
If you are still sceptical that Germany can make sauvignon blancs that can compete with the best from the Loire, then here is the affirmative answer. Impressive concentration, structure and power, the interplay of restrained oak and flinty acidity. Very long, pure and focused finish with tremendous energy. 60% fermented and matured in wooden casks of various sizes. Drink from release. Screw cap.