An interplay of remarkable Franconian craftsmanship and 140-year-old, true-rooted Sylvaner vines. On the southernmost part of the Sonnenberg, the "Creutz" vineyard, these old Sylvaner vines thrive, producing incredibly small but very concentrated berries. The result is a white wine rarity, stylistically reminiscent of a white Hermitage. On the nose, it presents itself spicy, smoky and even a little floral. The palate reveals ripe, yellow-fruited aromas, a powerful body with great structure and fine limestone minerality that comes from the shell limestone soil. Remarkable, multi-layered length.

Attributes

Origin:	Germany / Franconia
Grape variety:	Sylvaner
Label:	Certified organic or biodynamic wine
Ripening potential:	3 to 15 years after harvest
Drinking temperature:	10 to 12 °C
Food Pairing:	Grilled fish, Succulent chicken breast with cream sauc, Scaloppine di vitello al limone
Volume:	13.0 %
Note:	Contains sulphites

Producer

Zehnthof Luckert Winery

The winery is located in the Zehnthof prince-bishop's residence built in Sulzfeld am Main, Lower Franconia in 1558, and is known for wines with a distinctive and mineral character. The vineyards covering 17 hectares belonging to the winery are cultivated by Ulrich Luckert, his brother Wolfgang and the latter's son Philipp.

Since 1955 the winery has belonged to the VDP. The Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (Association of German Quality Wineries) is a federation of around 200 wineries in Germany that promotes binding quality standards and - since 1990 - the ecological management of its members' vineyards. In terms of VDP classification the Zehnthof-Luckert range includes 'Gutsweine' (estate-bottled) wines, 'Erste Lage' (premier cru) wines from the Berg and Sonnenberg vineyards, as well as 'Grosse Lage' (grand cru) wines from the Maustal vineyard. The wines enjoy EU organic certification.

Grape variety

Sylvaner

Asparagus partner and sweet wine star

The Sylvaner was created over a century ago as a spontaneous crossing in Austria. Today, only minute quantities are found there. It occupies the largest area in Germany, where it is spelled “Silvaner”. Well into the 1970s, it even trumped Riesling there by area. In France, Alsace has the monopoly on the Sylvaner. There, the variety is prized mainly in Valais; there, it is called Johannisberg or Johannis for short. Dry examples are perfect wines for asparagus: spirited and full-bodied, with moderate acidity and a delicate aroma of herbs, gooseberries and fresh hay. In addition, it yields superb dessert wines that can mature for two to three decades without issue.

Country

Germany

Germany – Into the elite the hard way

Sitting in the heart of Europe, the hilly, lake-dotted landscape of Germany provides ideal, fertile soil for the most diverse vine varieties. From Albalonga to Zweigelt, over 140 different grape varieties are grown on about 100,000 acres, cared for by nearly 50,000 vintners. Most of these vintners are young, modern, internationally trained, inquisitive and urbane. It is hardly surprising, then, that German wine has a good reputation well beyond the country's borders.

Rating

Parker 93+ Points