In Nackenheim, Weingut Kühling-Gillot farms vineyards on the Roter Hang, where a prominent vein of red clay slate rises to the surface and defines the character of the site. Disappearing again further south in Nierstein, this slate endows the Rieslings with a singular combination of ripe fruit, savoury spice, and mineral tension. Sourced from this remarkable terroir, the Nackenheim Riesling 2025 already expresses the unmistakable character of the Roter Hang with striking clarity as a VDP.Erste Lage.

On the nose, the Nackenheim Riesling 2025 reveals ripe nectarine, yellow apple, and delicate citrus notes, joined by ethereal herbs, subtle spices, and a characteristic stony savouriness that lends terroir depth. On the palate, it feels juicy and precise, supported by bright acidity and a fine, gently zesty phenolic grip. While the ripe fruit possesses substance, it remains carried by a taut mineral line. With aeration, the savoury and stony components step more clearly into the foreground, imparting added grip and length.

Selectively harvested by hand, the grapes were fermented spontaneously in Doppelstück oak casks and aged on the fine lees until the following spring. This traditional élevage lends added texture to the Riesling without masking its origin with oak notes. The 2025 vintage displays a lovely balance of aromatic ripeness and freshness, seamlessly uniting yellow stone fruit with the hallmark savouriness of red clay slate.

The Kühling-Gillot Nackenheim Riesling 2025 thus offers a slightly riper, more savoury expression than many cooler Rieslings along the Rhine Terrace. Its strength lies in the interplay of yellow fruit, herbal spice, red clay slate, and a bright, vibrant structure. Already richly expressive in its youth, its terroir foundation provides ample substance to evolve towards even greater stony savouriness and mature Riesling complexity over several years in bottle.