Pettenthal VDP.GROSSE LAGE 2017

Pettenthal is Schätzel's most precious site. The oldest vines, the steepest slopes, unconditional manual labor and 100% red slate on the Roter Hang in Nierstein. Where Hipping dances, Pettenthal is always pushing. More depth, more thrust from below, and at the same time that peculiar calm that only great vineyards radiate. Biodynamic according to Demeter, hand-picked in several passes, selected down to the individual berry. 2017 was Kai's first Flor vintage in Pettenthal, and he left this one barrel alone for eight years. 72 hours of cold maceration after stomping with his feet, then the must unfiltered and with all the lees directly into the old oak barrel, spontaneously fermented, BSA undisturbed, no intervention. What happened next was new in Germany: the wine laid down a layer of flor yeast, protecting itself for eight years without the addition of sulphur. Flor yeast as preservation through trust, not through intervention. The result was given an AP number and is thus officially a VDP Großes Gewächs, the first GG classified under Flor in Germany. Historic, without anyone having to talk about it out loud, but they should! Unfiltered, without fining, no sulphur. 9.5 percent alcohol, and yet this pressure, this depth, this length. On the nose, green apricot, baked apple, green walnut, sesame paste, a hint of bacon. In the mouth, wild, tart, grapefruit bitters, salt, iron, macadamia, and a finish that just doesn't stop. Pettenthal 2017 is the answer to all the questions you have not yet asked.