Andreas Bender ~ Dajoar Zenit Riesling 2015

The story

Andreas Bender describes his ethos: "The most important thing for me are first-class grapes from the best locations, traditional winemaking and uncompromising quality.” So a perfect match for Wines With Attitude. He combines the old and the new - "he's a traditionalist when it comes to choosing prime soils, hand selecting grapes, careful cellar work, simple winemaking methods and natural fermentation. But his contemporary "wine-thinking" is clearly visible with his label design and his belief that wines need to be accessible and fun."

The wine

I was asked if I could get hold of this wine given that I stock Andreas Bender's amazingly aromatic Pinot Noir. What a great recommendation it was - this is classic Riesling from the Mosel. There the vineyards' slate "soils" retain the heat and help make the wines lighter, lower in alcohol, higher in acidity and add a certain finesse. Predominant flavours and aromas are apples and blossom.

In the dialect of the Mosel 'Dajoar’ means “as the olden days” and so Andreas uses it to describe this style of Riesling, made as an homage to the Mosel wines of the past: "off-dry with a playful sweetness that balances out the crisp acidity". ‘

Don't confuse this wine with Andreas Bender's Dajoar Riesling; this one is is 'Dajoar Zenit', 'Zenit' being used only on Andreas' best wines made in exceptional vintages. It is drinking beautifully now but will also age for some years yet.

"Powerful, with intense aromas of citrus, quince and wet shale; lush and long on the palate, with a rich and persistent finish. Will age beautifully."

"Light to mid gold. Intensely spiced oily rich aroma that seems to owe more to an underground mineral than to grapes. On the palate, however, this is deep in ripe, spicy golden fruit, yellow plum and sour apricot. Off dry – hard to tell what the residual sugar is since the acidity is so lively – deep and long. Already complex but will surely become more so."