Weinbach Cuvee Theo Riesling 2019

At first quite closed, this has a whole spectrum of citric aromas that slowly open up. Notes of lychee and mangosteen, too. Then comes the wide-screen palate that’s packed with ripe fruit, but still quite tight on the long, very precise finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but better from 2022. 93 Points – James Suckling

Cuvée Théo Riesling comes exclusively from the monopole Le Clos des Capucins (which takes its name from the Capuchin friars who arrived here in 1619), at the base of the celebrated Schlossberg hill. The Clos is well protected from winds by the surrounding hills and by the walls enclosing it. The soils consist of sand, alluvial pebbles and granitic gravel. Here the low-cropping vines typically offer up a supple and pithy Riesling that’s beautifully accessible young—a reflection of these sandy soils. As per all Weinbach Rieslings, this was whole-cluster pressed, fermented without any yeast additions and matured in very old oak casks for 10 months.

From a great vintage for this Domaine, this might be the finest—certainly it’s the most powerful—Théo we have shipped. It opens with white blossom and ripe citrus aromatics, while the palate is deep and juicy with ripe apple, guava, lime and pine needle notes. It’s a layered yet mouth-wateringly crunchy Riesling of surprising body and power. A superb Théo.