2021 Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Ungeheuer Grand Cru

The 2021 Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Ungeheuer Grand Cru is a benchmark dry Riesling from one of the most storied estates in Germany’s Pfalz region. Sourced from the historic Ungeheuer vineyard in Forst, this wine captures the tension and precision of the cool, “classic” 2021 vintage. It’s a Riesling for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate depth, minerality and the unmistakable imprint of a great site.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Grand Cru Riesling shows a pale, shimmering lemon-gold hue with green reflections, signaling both youth and freshness. The nose is intensely expressive yet refined: lifted notes of lime zest, white peach and ripe citrus intertwine with crushed stone, wet slate, and a distinct salty, smoky-mineral edge from the volcanic subsoils. Subtle hints of white flowers and fresh herbs add further complexity. On the palate, the 2021 Ungeheuer is precise, linear and concentrated, with a core of juicy stone fruit, citrus and green apple framed by a vibrant, mouthwatering acidity. The hallmark of this wine is its pronounced salinity and deep minerality, giving a tactile, almost chiselled structure and impressive length on the finish. Despite its power and intensity, it remains elegant and finely balanced, with a full but never heavy body. Still in its youth, it has excellent aging potential; over the next 10–15 years it will gain even more complexity, bringing out nuances of honey, dried herbs and petrol while preserving its lively backbone.

Production
Ungeheuer is a famed Grand Cru (Grosses Gewächs) site on the eastern foothills of the Haardt mountains near Forst in the Mittelhaardt, where Bürklin-Wolf owns approximately 0.9 hectares in the historically most prized core of the vineyard. The southeast-facing slope allows early, gentle warming of the volcanic basalt bedrock, while dense layers of clay and sand ensure optimal water regulation and excellent mineral uptake, particularly important in a changing climate. 2021 was a cool, late-ripening year, with a fresh spring, delayed budbreak and flowering, and generous summer rainfall that helped the soils recover after several dry seasons; careful, labour-intensive work in the vineyard was required to control vigor and secure perfectly healthy, ripe grapes at harvest. Farmed biodynamically, the Riesling is hand-harvested parcel by parcel at ideal ripeness, then vinified with minimal intervention: gentle pressing, spontaneous fermentation, and maturation partly in stainless steel and partly in traditional large old wooden casks. This approach preserves the purity of fruit and allows the Ungeheuer terroir to speak clearly in the finished wine.

Food & Serving
This is a superb gastronomic Riesling that shines alongside fine seafood and refined, elegant cuisine. Think oysters, scallops, turbot, steamed or grilled white fish, sushi and sashimi, as well as lobster or langoustines with citrus or herb butter. It also pairs beautifully with veal, roast chicken, or pork dishes with light, creamy or citrus-accented sauces, and handles aromatic Asian dishes—especially those with ginger, lemongrass or mild chili—extremely well. Serve at 9–11°C (48–52°F) in a white wine or Riesling glass. In its youth, a light decant of 30–60 minutes can help the wine open up, revealing more layers of minerality and spice; as it ages, simply allow it to breathe in the glass.

Producer
Dr. Bürklin-Wolf is one of Germany’s great historic estates, with a winemaking tradition that stretches back centuries in the Pfalz. Based in Wachenheim and farming around 85 hectares across top sites in Forst, Deidesheim, Ruppertsberg and Wachenheim, the estate has long been a reference for dry, terroir-driven Riesling. Now led by Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze, the 22nd generation of the family, Dr. Bürklin-Wolf was a pioneer in reintroducing a Burgundian-style vineyard classification in Germany, using terms such as Grand Cru and Premier Cru to reflect site quality, yield and ripeness, and is a prominent member of the VDP. Since 2001 the estate has been fully committed to biodynamic viticulture, reducing intervention in both vineyard and cellar to let each parcel express its unique character. The result is a collection of Rieslings widely regarded as among the most profound and long-lived in the Pfalz, combining modern precision with deep regional authenticity.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.