Andreas Bender Dajoar Zenit Riesling 2019

Description

Dajaor Zenit Riesling 2019 from Andreas Bender is testament to an exceptional 2019 vintage in the Mosel region. Andreas only produces Dajaor Zenit Riesling in exceptional vintages and I just had to add the 2019 vintage after the success of the 2017 (I have a few bottles left in stock). The warmth of the 2019 growing season meant ripe grapes without losing the distinctive crisp acidity typical of off-dry Mosel Riesling. This wine tastes of ripe yellow fruits – apple, quince, plums – and has its usual mineral edge. In the Mosel region the vineyards’ slate “soils” retain the heat and help make the wines lighter, lower in alcohol, higher in acidity and add a certain finesse and a mineral streak. The zesty acidity cuts through the sweetness making this a mouth-watering wine.

In the dialect of the Mosel ‘Dajoar’ means “as the olden days” and so Andreas Bender 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 Riesling 2019’, ‘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.

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.” You might also like to try Andreas Bender’s amazingly aromatic Pinot Noir from the Pfalz region.