Immich Batterieberg CAI Riesling Kabinett Trocken 2022

This is one of Mosel’s oldest estates, established in 911 by a Carolingian monastery, which the Immich family took over in the 1400s. Sometime during the 1800s Carl August Immich wanted to expand into the barren hillside. So doing what people do, he blasted it with a cannon. It took 5 years but finally the terraced “Batterieberg” (“Battered Mountain”) vineyard was born and the estate gained its current name: Immich-Batterieberg. Sadly in 1989 the property was sold off and the winery’s traditional approach was abandoned for a modern style. Two years later, Immich-Batterieberg filed for bankruptcy. But two years after that, Gernot Kollmann (and two investors) entered the picture and restored the estate to its former glory. Gernot’s winemaking emphasizes terroir, utilizes little to no manipulation, and focuses on dry Riesling with a little bit of Pinot Noir.

CAI stands for Carl August Immich, the original founder of the estate. The grapes for this wine are from 25-65 years old grown on slate, and are from the bottom of Batterieberg hill as well as some purchased fruit from surrounding organic plots. It’s fermented in stainless steel and bottled with light filtration and minimal SO2. CAI is invigorating, mouth watering, racy, and delicious.