Müller-Catoir Bürgergarten Erste Lage Riesling Museum Release 2018

Müller-Catoir Bürgergarten Erste Lage Riesling is a dry, organically farmed wine from one of the oldest vineyards in the Pfalz, released here from the estate's cellar.

The Bürgergarten lies on the lower slopes of the Haardt mountains behind Neustadt, was first planted more than 700 years ago and is classified at Grosses Gewächs level. Müller-Catoir bottles a GG from a small parcel called Im Breumel, while the bulk of the site, from the Gehren and Apen micro-terroirs, goes into this Erste Lage bottling. The topsoils are deep and sandy over yellow sandstone bedrock, a combination that gives power, perfume and marked mineral freshness. Farming is organic. The wine fermented with indigenous yeasts and was raised for ten months in a mix of stainless steel and five-year-old 600-litre Halbstück ovals, about a quarter of the volume, a regime Martin Franzen finds gives more expressive, less reductive wine. Extended lees ageing adds texture.

Drinking well now with plenty in reserve; serve at 10-12C with roast pork belly, smoked trout or a mild Thai curry.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.