Staffelter Hof - Madcap Magnus 2019

(Mosel, Germany)

The Madcap Magnus Riesling is the first wine that Jan Klein of Staffelter Hof vinified as a completely natural wine back in 2014 and is a wine that has developed a bit of a cult following since. The range of natural wines at Staffelter Hof has grown to nearly ten wines now, but this remains one of the most limited and sought after.

The grapes come from his best parcel, the Steffensberg vineyard in his town of Kröv. Super steep slopes, 45-yr old vines planted on grey slate soils that lead straight into the river below.  What makes this wine so unique is that it is actually made from late harvest grapes but then fermented completely dry over the course of 15 months.

It sees some short skin contact but not enough to make this an orange wine. In total it spends nearly two years in old barrels. The wine is rich but tense, notes of honeyed fruits, herbal edges, with a burst of citrus fruits on the palate and impressive length. 

Made by Jan Klein, the latest generation at the helm on this historical estate which has been in the family since 1805, but operating as a winery since 862...!