The wines of Hermann Dönnhoff, Oberhausen, Nahe, Germany

UK agent: Siegel Wine Agencies (www.siegelwines.co.uk; wine@siegelwines.co.uk) 

Dönnhoff is a legendary name to fans of German wine, and is recognized by many to be the best estate in the Nahe region. Helmut Dönnhoff has been making the wine here since 1971 and has continued to add parcels of vines from top sites to the estate’s vineyards. He’s a traditionalist, and vinifies his wines in large oak casks. From this small sample of Donnhof's wines, I can understand why they are so well regarded. The good news is that prices (indicated in brackets) are remarkably sane. Retail stockists include EH Booth, SH Jones, Lea & Sandeman, SWIG and Tanners.

Dönnhoff Riesling QbA 2001 Nahe
A lovely expressive wine. Savoury, intense nose leads to a lovely rounded palate which is rich and citrussy with good acidity. Good concentration and purity. Very good+ (£7.99)

Dönnhoff Riesling Kabinett Oberhauser Leistenberg 2001 Nahe
Explosive concentration of flavour. Rich, intense and complex. Good acidity with a spicy, lemony edge to the palate, together with a touch of minerality. Some sweetness. Very good/excellent (£10.99)

Dönnhoff Riesling Spätlese Schlossbockelheimer Kupfergrube 2001
Lifted minerally edge to the nose. Huge concentration on the palate with minerally edge and good acidity. Fresh, limey and quite sweet. Very good/excellent

Dönnhoff Riesling Auslese Oberhauser Brucke 2000
Really spicy, limey nose. Very rich thick-textured palate with spicy, marmaladey edge. Quite rich and smooth. Intense stuff. Very good+

Wines tasted February 2003

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