“Serious power and finesse.” - JancisRobinson.com, 17+ points

If you were to draw a Venn Diagram with the features of our favourite white wines within each circle, then this German Chardonnay would lie entirely at the intersection. It has the wispy ‘struck match’ notes that we love in a reductive white, it has the ‘flinty’ notes that we hope to find in a great white Burgundy, it has the subtle ‘smokiness’ reminiscent of a volcanic white, and it has the poise and refinement of a ‘minerally’ Pouilly-Fumé, but most importantly, it is what it is, a very stylish and elegant, barrel-aged Chardonnay from the Rheinhessen. 13% alc. Drink now-2034.

Press reviews:

JancisRobinson.com: “Flinty-fumy matchstick reduction on the nose. Cool citrus, lemon peel coated in vanilla-bean powder. Oddly enchanting and refined. Salty, slender and cool; carving a deep, juicy path, a fjord between the steep cliffs of acid and stone. Serious power and finesse for an Ortswein. (PS). Drink now-2032.” 17+ points

JancisRobinson.com (Tamlyn Currin): “Fantastically smoky – right to the sulphurous line, right to the brink looking in. Sucked-in citrus so sharp it's a paper cut. The wine has focus so laser fine that it feels thin and faster than the speed of light and it's gone and then you realise that everything about this wine is what it leaves behind – like following an arrow shot to split a mountain in half and finding a meadow, wide and open and full of light. Candied angelica, candied lemon peel, baklava, lime pickle, apple blossom, white pepper and wild flowers. I would argue that this wine has not even spun its cocoon in its evolution towards beauty. Drink 2026-2032.” 16.5+ points

Vinous: “The 2022 Chardonnay Ingelheimer was picked in Erste Lagen sites, in both the Mainzer Berg and the Westerberg. The wine spent 18 months on gross lees in 500 litre barrels. Reduction and a touch of walnut skin predominate on the nose. The palate comes in with freshness, led by yeasty notions, slightly salty creaminess and a lovely chalky undertow. Drink now-2040.” 91 points