Dr. Von Bassermann-jordan Forster Ungeheuer Grosses Gewachs Riesling, Pfalz
Bassermann-Jordan, with origins going back to 1718, is one of the leading producers of Germany’s Pfalz (or Palatinate) region, based in Deidesheim, with excellent vineyard holdings there and in the neighbouring villages of Forst, Ruppertsberg, Wachenheim, Königsbach and Niederkirchen.
The Ungeheuer vineyard is west of Forst on a slope dominated by lime-rich sandstone and volcanic, basalt-derived soils. Ungeheuer means enormous or monstrous and there are various stories about how the vineyard got the name. The soil retains heat and the site is well protected against frost. The vineyard is farmed organically
After a short maceration and gentle pressing, the juice was fermented mostly in stainless steel tanks. The wine typically shows herbal notes and citrus fruits, sometimes also with yellow fruits and flint. On the palate, the wine is dense and has great minerality, but also has equal elegance. It will show its full potential with a few years bottle age and will continue to drink well until at least the mid-2030s.
"The most massive and muscular of the 2016 GGs from Bassermann-Jordan, but already rather open and impressive to drink now. However, this has plenty of subtle nuances, particularly at the bold finish."
94 points, jamessuckling.com, November 2017
"I think I can remove the question mark from my suspicion of the use of oak in B-J’s Grosse Gewächse, but have to admit that I find its moderate employment in the vinification of the Ungeheuer very tasteful. Waxy and stony nuances complement the ripe fruit on the nose, the palate exhibits juicy yellow fruit, ably supported by some fine herbal notes. A good mouthful with plenty of substance and excellent structure, not quite as broad as some of its siblings from the B-J stable."
17.5 points, Michael Schmidt, JancisRobinson.com (August 2017)
Bassermann-Jordan’s vineayards include some of the most notable winegrowing sites in the Pfalz. Covering more than 49 ha, their vineyard locations in Forst, Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg include 20 different single vineyard sites. A third of these vineyards are classified Grand Cru such as Hohenmorgen, Pechstein, and Jesuitengarten. These vineyards are organically farmed and winemaker Ulrich Mell focuses on spontaneous fermentation without artificial additives prior to lees ageing.
In 1718, Pierre Jordan purchased the family's first vineyards in Pfalz. 65 years later, Johann-Peter Jordan built the winery in Deidesheim. Quality is a Jordan family tradition. Around 1800, Andreas Jordan was a part of the avant-garde of growers changed the face of viticulture in the Pfalz by planting single varieties by the vineyard. He was also one of the first winemakers to vinify each vineyard separately. Later, in 1883, marriage between the Bassermann and Jordan families. Today, the estate is owned by the Niederberger family who took ownership after the remaining Bassermann-Jordan heirs resolved to sell. Since 2002, winemaker Ulrich Mell has been committed to honouring the Bassermann-Jordan pursuit of quality in the Pfalz.
