With Auf dem Kalkofen, Weingut Battenfeld Spanier farms a historic parcel in the Zellertal whose poor, heavily calcareous soil imparts a pronounced mineral signature to the Riesling. Shell limestone, tertiary loam, and clay form the geological foundation here, while the south- to southeast-facing vineyards benefit from constant airflow and the distinct microclimate of the Zellertal. Reclassified as a VDP.Erste Lage in 2023, the site’s singular pedigree now stands in even sharper relief.

The Mölsheim Auf dem Kalkofen Riesling 2024 opens cool and reserved. Citrus fruit, green and yellow apple, and delicate herbs meet smoky, stony, and saline notes. Rather than taking centre stage, the fruit is increasingly overlaid by chalky savouriness and an almost tactile, chalk-dust minerality. On the palate, the Riesling possesses a dense, juicy structure framed by ripe, finely integrated acidity. The texture feels at once taut and supple, while fine phenolic grip lends added contour. On the long finish, saline and smoky notes come to the fore, giving the wine an exceptionally precise resonance.

Although shaped by generally humid conditions, the 2024 vintage offered favourable prospects thanks to the virtual absence of spring frosts and an extended growing season. Through meticulous canopy management, Battenfeld Spanier was able to harvest fully ripe, healthy grapes late in the season. This prolonged ripening phase unlocked a broad aromatic spectrum without sacrificing the freshness so vital to the site. Equally characteristic of Auf dem Kalkofen is its extended maturation on the fine lees: following a first racking in spring, the wine aged in 1,200-litre oak casks until bottling in December 2025.

The Battenfeld Spanier Mölsheim Auf dem Kalkofen Riesling Erste Lage 2024 thus marries the cool, saline minerality of limestone with a density and ripe acidity unusual for the vintage. Extended lees ageing lends added texture and depth without obscuring its sense of place. Compared to the classic Mölsheim Riesling, Auf dem Kalkofen feels more concentrated, structured, and distinctly multi-layered. Its true strength lies in the union of limestone, tension, and a finely creamy texture that gives it substance in its youth while promising a long evolution in bottle.