Van Volxem Schonfels GG 2022

Van Volxem Schonfels GG 2022 is a top-tier dry Riesling from the steep slate slopes of the Saar, crafted in the distinctive, precise style that has made Van Volxem one of Germany’s most admired estates. This Grosses Gewächs (GG) bottling comes from the prized Schonfels vineyard, a dramatic, terraced site that had almost vanished from the map before being painstakingly revived. Combining fine herbal nuances with crystal-clear fruit, it offers a modern yet classically Mosel expression of Riesling that’s built for both immediate pleasure and long-term cellaring.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Schonfels GG shows a pale lemon hue with green reflections, signaling its youthful energy and cool-climate origins. The nose is finely etched and detailed: delicate herbal notes—think fresh meadow herbs, lemon verbena and a hint of chamomile—intertwine with white peach, citrus zest, crushed slate and a whisper of smoke. On the palate, it is elegant yet quietly powerful, with a juicy, almost crystalline Saar Riesling character. The wine is technically very dry in style, but there is a gentle, barely perceptible touch of residual sweetness that rounds the edges and enhances the fruit. Expect ripe stone fruit, lime, green apple and subtle floral tones, all carried by vibrant acidity and a distinct mineral tension that lingers on the long, saline finish. This 2022 already drinks beautifully in its youth for those who enjoy precision and freshness, but it has the structure and balance to evolve gracefully for 10–15 years, gaining complexity, spice and depth with time in bottle.

Production
Schonfels is a steep, ancient slate vineyard in the Saar, part of the Mosel region, where poor, rocky soils and dramatic slopes force the Riesling vines to dig deep, concentrating flavor and minerality. Van Volxem farms these parcels with great care, focusing on low yields, selective hand harvesting and picking at optimal ripeness to capture both intensity and freshness. In the cellar, the Riesling is vinified with a gentle, minimalist approach—typically using spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts and extended lees contact in large traditional casks or stainless steel—allowing the terroir-driven character of Schonfels to shine through without overt oak influence.

Food & Serving
This refined Saar Riesling shines with delicately flavored yet high-quality dishes: think oysters, scallops, ceviche, sushi and sashimi, or lightly grilled white fish with herbs and citrus. It is also an excellent partner for fine vegetable cuisine—white asparagus, fennel, artichoke, or herb-driven dishes—as well as subtly spiced Asian fare and elegant poultry or veal in light sauces. Serve at 8–10°C (46–50°F) to highlight its precision and mineral edge. Young bottles will benefit from 30–60 minutes in a decanter or a generous swirl in the glass to fully open the aromatics, while older vintages can be served directly but allowed to unfold slowly at the table.

Producer
Van Volxem, based in Wiltingen on the Saar, is one of the driving forces behind the modern renaissance of German dry Riesling. The estate’s roots reach back to the 19th century, when it was already considered among the region’s finest, supplying wines to some of Europe’s most prestigious cellars. Under contemporary leadership, Van Volxem has focused on reclaiming and revitalizing historic, steep, slate vineyards like Schonfels, crafting terroir-driven wines that are both precise and expressive. Widely recognized within the VDP and beyond for its benchmark Grosses Gewächs bottlings, Van Volxem has helped reassert the Saar’s status as a world-class source of long-lived, mineral-driven Rieslings.

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