The Beast Chardonnay Doppelmagnum 2022 is one of the most exclusive and ambitious bottlings from Weingut Van Volxem—and truly a beast of a bottle format. The grapes come from roughly 15-year-old vines in a parcel historically named “Im Biest” on the Klosterberg, whose red slate soils impart a striking mineral signature to the wine. Following harvest, the Chardonnay fermented on the skins in open wooden vats before maturing for twelve months in Burgundian pièces. This intricate vinification marries Burgundian craftsmanship with the unmistakable terroir of the Saar, endowing the wine with extraordinary depth, precision, and expressive power.

Right on the nose, The Beast is at once multi-layered and crystal-clear. Ripe yellow orchard fruit, delicate citrus notes, and subtle floral nuances intertwine with a cool slate minerality that eloquently reflects the character of the site. On the palate, the wine is powerful and concentrated without sacrificing elegance. Juicy fruit is supported by a taut acid spine, fine-grained tannins, and remarkable mineral tension. The long, complex finish leaves a lasting impression and underscores the extraordinary ageing potential of this Chardonnay.

With a total production of just 1,267 bottles, 200 magnums, and a mere 25 double magnums, The Beast Chardonnay 2022 ranks among the rarest wines in the Van Volxem portfolio. Uncompromising selection, minuscule production volumes, and an exceptional stylistic vision make it a compelling interpretation of German Chardonnay at the highest international level.

Under the stewardship of Roman Niewodniczanski, Van Volxem has undergone a profound evolution over the past two decades. Whereas the estate was initially known primarily for off-dry Saar Rieslings, its focus today rests squarely on dry, terroir-driven flagship wines crafted predominantly from Riesling and increasingly from Burgundian varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.

Together with cellar masters such as Dominik Völk and his successor Christoph Friedrich, the house style has been honed further, centring on precision, minerality, and uncompromising fidelity to origin. While classic fruit-sweet Prädikat Rieslings remain an important part of the portfolio, the primary focus lies on the dry Grosses Gewächs bottlings that have established Van Volxem among the leading estates of the entire Mosel region.