{"product_id":"2020-dr-burklin-wolf-reiterpfad-grand-cru","title":"2020 Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Reiterpfad Grand Cru","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2020 Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Reiterpfad Grand Cru is a benchmark dry Riesling from one of the Pfalz region’s most historic estates. Sourced from the renowned Reiterpfad vineyard, this wine combines precision, power and elegance, capturing the character of one of Mittelhaardt’s most prized terroirs. It offers serious complexity and aging potential while remaining beautifully drinkable in its youth.\n\nAs with all of Bürklin-Wolf’s top dry Rieslings, Reiterpfad is classified according to a Burgundy-inspired quality pyramid, earning its Grand Cru status through exceptional site, low yields and perfect ripeness. The vineyard’s sandy loam soils over colored sandstone and limestone give the wine its striking mineral backbone and depth. The name “Reiterpfad” (“rider’s path”) harks back to a Roman cavalry route, underlining the site’s centuries-long strategic and agricultural importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2020 Reiterpfad Grand Cru shows a bright, pale lemon to light straw color with glints of green, signaling both youth and freshness. It presents as crystalline and precise, with a texture that looks almost weightless yet concentrated.\n\nThe nose is pure and expressive: ripe stone fruits (white peach, apricot) mingle with citrus zest, green apple, and subtle notes of yellow plum. Layers of crushed stone, flint and a gentle, chalky minerality add complexity, while hints of white flowers, herbal nuances and a delicate, leesy creaminess round out the bouquet.\n\nOn the palate, this is a dry, focused Riesling with impressive intensity and length. A vibrant, finely etched acidity drives flavors of citrus (lemon, grapefruit), juicy peach and crisp pear, supported by a firm mineral core. The texture is both silky and taut, with a sense of energy that carries through to a long, saline, almost savory finish. As it opens in the glass, more depth emerges—subtle spice, a touch of almond, and a ripe, yet controlled fruit profile. The 2020 vintage’s structure and concentration suggest excellent aging potential: expect peak drinking from about 5–15 years from vintage, with the wine gaining more honeyed, smoky, and petrol nuances over time while retaining its spine of freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReiterpfad is one of the most celebrated vineyard sites in the Mittelhaardt section of the Pfalz, benefiting from a warm, dry climate and excellent exposure that allows Riesling to ripen fully while preserving acidity. The soils are predominantly sandy loam interspersed with conglomerates of variegated sandstone and limestone, contributing both aromatic lift and a pronounced mineral character. Dr. Bürklin-Wolf has been farming biodynamically since 2001, working the 85 hectares of estate vineyards with minimal intervention, strict yield control, and meticulous hand harvesting at optimal ripeness. In the cellar, the aim is to let the terroir speak: grapes are gently pressed, fermentations proceed with as little manipulation as possible, and the wine is aged in a combination of stainless steel and large old oak casks. This approach preserves purity, tension and precision while adding subtle textural richness and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Grand Cru Riesling is extremely versatile at the table and pairs superbly with refined, flavorful cuisine. Try it with shellfish (poached prawns, scallops, lobster), grilled or baked white fish, sushi and sashimi, or elegant poultry dishes with light creams or citrus-based sauces. It also shines alongside lightly spiced Asian dishes, fine vegetable cuisine (asparagus, fennel, artichokes, spring vegetables) and soft or semi-hard cheeses such as young Comté or aged Gouda. Serve at 9–11°C (48–52°F) to highlight its freshness and aromatics; if the wine is very cold, allow it to warm slightly in the glass. Decanting is not strictly necessary, but a brief 30 minutes in a carafe can help the wine open up its full aromatic complexity, particularly in the first few years after release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDr. Bürklin-Wolf is one of Germany’s most storied and influential estates, with a winemaking history spanning several centuries in the Pfalz. Based in Wachenheim, the family-run winery now in its 22nd generation under Bettina Bürklin-Wolf has become a reference point for world-class dry Riesling. Pioneering biodynamic viticulture in the region since 2001, the estate focuses on expressing individual vineyards—Lagen—through a Burgundian-style classification of Premier Cru and Grand Cru sites. With holdings in top vineyards across Forst, Deidesheim, Ruppertsberg and Wachenheim, Dr. Bürklin-Wolf is a key member of the VDP and is widely credited with helping elevate the reputation of Pfalz dry Riesling on the international stage, producing wines known for their precision, length and unmistakable sense of place.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dr. Bürklin Wolf","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251857248593,"sku":"GCW-MMUI-20102806","price":99.75,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2021_Dr_BrklinWolf_Reiterpfad_Grand_Cru__1.png?v=1783441894","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2020-dr-burklin-wolf-reiterpfad-grand-cru","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}