Wein-Erbhof Stein Alfer Holle '1900' Riesling Kabinett Trocken, Mosel, Germany

Golden light catches the glass, releasing a perfume that feels almost otherworldly, crushed slate, quince, and lemon zest entwined with wild herbs and a whisper of sea breeze. The 2024 Stein Riesling Alfer Hölle 1900 Kabinett Trocken is both a testament to time and a study in precision. From a tiny parcel of ungrafted vines planted in 1900, the second-oldest producing Riesling vineyard in the world, this wine distills the Mosel’s ancient soul into something crystalline, electric, and enduringly alive.

Product Details:

• Varietal: Riesling
• Farming: Organic and ecological practices; hand-harvested
• Vine Age: Over 120 years (planted 1900, ungrafted)
• Soil: Red iron-rich slate
• Vineyard Size: 1,200 vines (less than 1,000 liters produced annually)
• Fermentation: Native yeasts; long, cool fermentation in stainless steel
• Aging: On fine lees until bottling
• Style: Kabinett Trocken
• ABV: 12%
• Winemaker/ Owner: Ulrich “Ulli” Stein

Sensory Description:

Intensely aromatic, this Riesling opens with scents of crushed flowers, flint, and ripe stone fruit. The palate is taut and linear, with precise acidity balancing layers of quince, apricot skin, and Meyer lemon. Beneath the fruit lies a core of iron-slate minerality, giving the wine both structure and length. The finish hums with energy, saline, stony, and dry, yet touched by a whisper of richness that reflects its century-old vines.

Winemaker's Background:

Weingut Stein, led by Ulli Stein, is an independent estate dedicated to preserving the Mosel’s steep slate slopes and their original vine genetics. Working largely by hand, Ulli farms six and a half hectares of vertiginous vineyards along the river, including the legendary Alfer Hölle parcel. His philosophy centers on ecological balance, minimal intervention, and absolute transparency from vine to glass. The Alfer Hölle 1900 bottling, made from vines older than most estates, embodies both his deep respect for history and his fearless pursuit of purity.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve well-chilled, between 45–50°F (7–10°C), in a tulip-shaped white wine glass. Decant briefly or allow to open in the glass to reveal its layered complexity. Ideal with roast white meats, fresh seafood, or fried dishes where its cut and minerality refresh the palate. Also superb as an aperitif alongside crunchy greens or citrus-accented salads.

In every vintage, Stein Riesling Alfer Hölle 1900 Kabinett Trocken captures the paradox of the Mosel, power and delicacy, history and vitality, silence and song, all drawn from a handful of century-old vines rooted deep in red slate.