In the Pettenthal, Weingut Kühling-Gillot farms one of the steepest and most storied sites on the Roter Hang. Reaching gradients of up to 70 percent, this parcel lies between Nierstein and Nackenheim, plunging directly towards the Rhine. On the steep slope, red iron-rich clay slate and red sandstone define the soil, while an extremely thin layer of topsoil forces the vine roots deep into the bedrock. An eastern exposure and light reflected off the Rhine create a warm yet well-ventilated microclimate. This convergence of steep gradient, Rotliegendes slate, and immediate proximity to the river endows the Pettenthal with its unmistakable character.

The Pettenthal Riesling Großes Gewächs 2025 displays a distinctly savoury and stony aromatic profile. Ripe yellow fruit and citrus zest form a restrained fruit core, overlaid by dried herbs, pepper, smoke, and the striking savouriness of red clay slate. With aeration, stony and subtly earthy nuances increasingly emerge. On the palate, the Riesling possesses a dense, powerful texture and immense drive while remaining pure and precise. Acidity imparts tension, while chalk- and slate-driven minerality provides a firm core. Fine phenolic grip lends added traction and guides the wine into a long, savoury finish.

The 2025 vintage brings ample ripeness and aromatic density to articulate the powerful side of the Pettenthal while preserving the freshness vital to Riesling and remaining focused through its terroir. Rigorously selected by hand, the grapes are fermented spontaneously and gently aged in Stück oak casks, lending added texture and depth without allowing oak to mask the hallmark savouriness of the Rotliegendes.

The Kühling-Gillot Pettenthal Riesling Großes Gewächs 2025 stands among the house’s wines in which terroir takes clear precedence over primary fruit. Its depth arises from the union of red clay slate, extreme slope gradient, savoury spice, and structural density. On the long finish, smoke, dried herbs, pepper, and stony notes come ever more strongly to the fore. While already possessing impressive substance in its youth, its full multi-layered complexity will unfold only with further bottle age—a powerful yet precise Riesling profoundly shaped by the extraordinary terroir of the Pettenthal.