A selection of Germany’s energising 2020s

Southeast facing, the morning sun on this vineyard dries out any moisture, resulting in perfectly healthy grapes, while the warm slate soils creates a Kabinett that’s full of ripe fruit and tons of energy: it’s one of the most up-front wines from Dönnhoff, worth buying every year.

Coming from 30-40 year old vines with a south west exposition, this site is consistently producing elegant wines with tension and purity. Lemongrass, white peach and honey blossom notes exude from the glass and the palate has a generosity and juiciness that combines with layers of saltiness.

This comes from a small plot of the oldest vines, and was first produced in just 2017. It balances richness and elegance, with all the concentration of a Grosses Gewächs Riesling from a top grower.

Grapes are coming from the oldest vines of this plot and contributes to the wine's concentration. There is a density on the palate combined with a mineral backbone and saline quality. There is an exotic profile on the nose of mango and papaya, yet this plays a supporting role to pink grapefruit and lemon.

Always on the tropical spectrum, the wine demonstrates a pepper spice as well as honey blossom and ginger notes. The concentration and ripeness is well balanced with purity and unflinching acidity.

From old vines of over 40 years, there is an intensity of ripes mango, pineapple and exotic friuts. The palate is much more tightly wound with real energy from the acidity as well as a touch of phenolics adding to the texture. This is a complex wine that will only get better with time in bottle.

This is arguably Dönnhoff’s greatest vineyard, and, indeed, the greatest vineyard of the whole of the Nahe. Here, the vines are up to 65 years old, and face due south. The resulting wine has astonishing freshness and power. This is a true Grand Cru of Germany.

Described as one of the Nahe's greatest vineyard sites and one of the region's oldest Grand Cru, this is Dönnhoff's prized site . With a southern exposition and vine age approaching 70 years, the wine's innate quality immediately comes through in the glass. Expect fresh apricot and ginger spice with a juiciness and silkiness that combines with a zesty acidity and linear profile.

Always on the tropical spectrum, the wine demonstrates a pepper spice as well as honey blossom and ginger notes. The concentration and ripeness is well balanced with purity and unflinching acidity.

The Dellchen are the hollows that sit between cliffs that lift up from the Nahe, and this south-facing vineyard creates a wine that has astonishing intensity and complexity, with spicy notes. It benefits from an incredibly long hang time on the vines, and the resulting wine is brilliant.

From old vines of over 40 years, there is an intensity of ripes mango, pineapple and exotic friuts. The palate is much more tightly wound with real energy from the acidity as well as a touch of phenolics adding to the texture. This is a complex wine that will only get better with time in bottle.

Coming from volcanic soils, this wine often displays razorsharp focus and steeliness. Jasmine florals and citrus notes on the nose are carefully intertwined with wet stone and herbal notes on the palate. The wine's piercing acidity is a highlight and this wine has much more to offer in years to come.

The Kahlenberg vineyard was first mentioned in 1499, it was used as the reference site for the former Royal Prussian Institute of Pomology and Viticulture when making official recommendations to winegrowers in the Nahe. South facing, this is a spicy Riesling with persistence.

From vineyards predominantly from volcanic soils, but also with slate and quartzite, this is a brilliant introduction to the wines of the estate. Mineral, cool, and utterly delicious, don’t underestimate the potential for ageing here.

With stony, warm soils this vineyard tends to flower early, making it the perfect vineyard for producing Kabinett. It is always delicate, with dancing acidity and plenty of ripe orchard fruit.