By Will Hargrove
IDIG Tasting
I count myself very fortunate to have done this tasting twice now. We were very lucky to time the start of our relationship with A.Christmann to coincide with the last year when a retrospective tasting was planned (2019). That tasting (READ HERE) was hosted at A.Christmann. This rendition was an identical set up but hosted by Weingut Wittman in the town of Westhofen. The vintage range had moved on by five vintages. Now being 2014-2023. It is a wonderful opportunity where three estates show ten vintages (2009-2018) of their top single vineyard “GG”.
The three wines were:
IDIG Riesling GG from Weingut A. Christmann
MORSTEIN Riesling GG from Weingut Wittman
KASTANIENBUSCH Riesling GG from Weingut Okonmierat Rebholz.
I must say that the verticals of all three wines shone brightly. I can’t help but feel that the spirit of collaboration between these three very friendly estates only helps the wines. Vinous karma? I have only included my notes for the IDIG here. M denotes magnum.
IDIG RIESLING GG VERTICAL
WEINGUT A. CHRISTMANN
IDIG Riesling GG 2014 M
Mint with green spices and lovely freshness. So moreish. Has both elegant and extrovert elements. Lovely mellow drive. Quite a wine.
Corney & Barrow Score: 18-18.5
Recommended drinking: now- 2030
IDIG Riesling GG 2015 M
Glorious colour, nose is open and all on display. Ripely fruited with a little dash of spearmint and mellow honey. There is a real succulence here.
Corney & Barrow Score: 17.5-18
Recommended drinking: now-2028
IDIG Riesling GG 2016 M
A little louche, open and ready, less obvious acidity. Fruit is more yellow gold and decadent rather than white. This has a more opulent feel. Drink now and enjoy.
Corney & Barrow Score: 17-17.5
Recommended drinking: now-2026
IDIG Riesling GG 2017 M
Complex, with a “dollop” of everything. Bright, lemon fresh, briny with youthful persistence allied to an aged complexity, really rather wonderful. Can see this being special for a while.
Corney & Barrow Score: 18.5
Recommended drinking: now-2032+
IDIG Riesling GG 2018 M
More spherical than some vintages. A dash of mint to the nose. This is flashier with generous proportions. On its own a super wine, here it is just a tiny bit less poised, less specific than other vintages.
Corney & Barrow Score: 17-17.5
Recommended drinking: now-2026
IDIG Riesling GG 2019
Open with a briny, chalky drive to the nose. The palate matches well. Generous texture but in balance. Very pure with a palate that just begs to be drunk. In the zone now and properly delicious.
Corney & Barrow Score: 18.5
Recommended drinking: now-2032+
IDIG Riesling GG 2020
Broad range of aromas on the nose, somehow manages to be generous and classical at the same time. Power that is “in-check” on the palate. Very impressed, open and very enjoyable. More to come but easy to enjoy now.
Corney & Barrow Score: 18-18+
Recommended drinking: 2026-2034+
IDIG Riesling GG 2021
Superb from the off, great drive with brightly salty white fruit notes. Such poise. Taut but in no way lean. Love this. A Model IDIG with years ahead of it.
Corney & Barrow Score: 18.5-19
Recommended drinking 2027-2035+
IDIG Riesling GG 2022
Spice and some brine to the initial nose. Airy and refined with a compressed note that hints at slight reduction. The palate has a weightless yet unctuous dryness if that makes sense (I not sure it does!). This is great, bold and extrovert. Will be fascinating to follow it.
Corney & Barrow Score: 18-18+
Recommended drinking: 2026-2034
IDIG Riesling GG 2023
Fresh colour, steely nose, refined. Youthful attack to the nose, fruited with good concentration. The fruit is white with a little pale yellow. This has no edges. Very long with real presence and a mineral finish. It’ll be worth waiting.
Corney & Barrow Score: 18
Recommended drinking: 2027-2036+
Read more about Weingut A. Christmann here
Germany, 2023 Vintage En Primeur offer here