Dr. Von BassermannJordan Deidesheimer Hohenmorgen Grosses Gewachs Riesling, Pfalz
Bassermann-Jordan, with origins going back to 1718, is one of the leading producers of Germany’s Pfalz (or Palatinate) region, based in Deidesheim, with excellent vineyard holdings there and in the neighbouring villages of Forst, Ruppertsberg, Wachenheim, Königsbach and Niederkirchen.
Hohenmorgen is the smallest and perhaps the best VDP ‘Great Growth’ of Deidesheim. Bassermann-Jordan owns more than two-thirds of the south-facing, three hectare vineyard, which is managed biodynamically. Extensive lime deposits in the subsoil are overlain by clay, loam and sand.
This wine is fermented in stainless steel and just one large, old barrel. Post-ferment, the wine spends about five months on fine yeast lees. The nose typically shows both citrus and stone fruit and the palate a powerful mineral structure.
"Enormous energy and depth, but sleek and filigree for the Pfalz, this is a great dry riesling that has a couple of decades ahead of it but drinks well already. And there are 5,000 bottles of this!"
95 points, jamessuckling.com, November 2017
"Probably my favourite among the B-J Grosse Gewächse, possibly because, this coming seventh in my tasting sequence, I may have got used to the oak or it could just be that the Hohenmorgen has a greater capacity for absorbing it. There is plenty of tension in this one, as the vibrant acidity won’t let the viscous texture let have it all its own way. Add some juicy pear and yellow plum, a hint of herbs, a sprinkling of cloves, and this will do very nicely."
18 points, Michael Schmidt, JancisRobinson.com (August 2017)
Bassermann-Jordan’s vineayards include some of the most notable winegrowing sites in the Pfalz. Covering more than 49 ha, their vineyard locations in Forst, Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg include 20 different single vineyard sites. A third of these vineyards are classified Grand Cru such as Hohenmorgen, Pechstein, and Jesuitengarten. These vineyards are organically farmed and winemaker Ulrich Mell focuses on spontaneous fermentation without artificial additives prior to lees ageing.
In 1718, Pierre Jordan purchased the family's first vineyards in Pfalz. 65 years later, Johann-Peter Jordan built the winery in Deidesheim. Quality is a Jordan family tradition. Around 1800, Andreas Jordan was a part of the avant-garde of growers changed the face of viticulture in the Pfalz by planting single varieties by the vineyard. He was also one of the first winemakers to vinify each vineyard separately. Later, in 1883, marriage between the Bassermann and Jordan families. Today, the estate is owned by the Niederberger family who took ownership after the remaining Bassermann-Jordan heirs resolved to sell. Since 2002, winemaker Ulrich Mell has been committed to honouring the Bassermann-Jordan pursuit of quality in the Pfalz.
