A Christmann

PFALZ
His Riesling and Pinot Noirs are now regulary among the Pfalz's finest, especially from his Grosses Gewächs sites of Reiterpfad, Mandelgarten and Idig. STEPHEN BROOK, Decanter

We sometimes wish more Pfalz producers shared the attitude of Steffen Christmann of the eponymous estate in Gimmeldingen (and also president of the VDP national quality producers association). “Great things happen on the edge of catastrophe,” he said very calmly. “With the scale and quality of our vineyards, we can dare to approach very close to catastrophe. STUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com

When I think of the Pfalz two names spring to mind Catoir and, of course, Christmann. No other producer has done as much to bring this brilliant region in to the lime light than Steffen Christmann with his unwavering dedication to producing wines of only the highest quality and regionality. The key here seems to be a deep understanding of tradition and the terroirs they farm, Steffen is the seventh generation to work this land, and a willingness to innovate, and dare I say it experiment, in the endless pursuit of perfection. As to the wines these are all about presenting the most authentic take on their bevvy of special vineyards. Recent releases seem, to me, to have an extra level of something I can only call juiciness, but still the tell tale energy and palate staining power. While everything here is top notch for its respective place in the hierarchy their crowning jewel is Idig which has set its place firmly in the very top of the tree of GGs in Germany. ROSCOE