Jan Matthias Klein "Little Bastard" White, 2021, 750ml

Description

Weingut Staffelter Hof in Kröv of the Middle Mosel has a storied history, existing since 862, and Jan Matthias Klein is the 7th generation winemaker currently at the helm. Known primarily for classic Mosel Riesling, Klein has been pushing down the use of sulfur and turning up the organic practices and creativity in the winery year after year since joining in 2005. He stopped using herbicides immediately upon his arrival, and became fully organic in 2011, with certification coming 3 years later. 

The Little Bastard is one of the Estate’s earliest bottlings of natural wines and reflects the Estate’s “diversity rooted in Riesling”: It is a blend of Riesling (60%), Sauvignon Blanc (25%), Müller-Thurgau (10%), and some Muskateller (5%). The different grape varieties are fermented without any intervention, partially with a little pre-fermentation maceration, and, in the case of the Muskateller, a two week skin fermentation before pressing. The result was then blended together, and after completing the fermentation, bottled un-filtered and without any sulfur added. An alternative vision of Riesling blend from the Mosel, bone dry, slightly cloudy from skin contact and zero clarification, light, savoury, clean and very drinkable with plenty of pleasure from the peach and green apple fruit. As fun as the name suggests.