Description

The sloping vineyards of the Leistenberg are characterised predominantly by clay slate soils. This dry, blackish-grey slate is perfect for producing superbly elegant wines. Dönnhoff's characterful dry Riesling wines from these soils are therefore named after this ancient rock. Tonschiefer translates as clay slate.

100% selective hand harvest. Fermented and matured in stainless steel vats and large oak barrels. Full-bodied, mineral Riesling wine with a fruit nose of great finesse and classic acidity.

"VDP Gutswein. Due to frost, the fruit for this is almost entirely declassified fruit from Hermannshöhle.
Stony, smoky introduction is woven with quiet notes of fresh orange and yellow fruit. Concentrated and confident, with deep, stony shoulders supported by a taut and saline core. There's a captivating raw, rough edge to its intensity, the untamed power of a grand cru in its early stages. And all the more surprising for the zesty citrus delicacy of the lingering finish. A compelling testament to the cellarability of great sites, even in challenging vintages. Drink to 2033."
16.5+ points.
Paula Sidore, jancisrobinson.com (June 2025)

"Predominantly sourced in the Leistenberg, the 2024 Riesling trocken Tonschiefer VDP.Gutswein is pure as well as intense on the concentrated and aromatic nose that comes like a desert of crushed blue slate and salts. This is fascinating and represents a superb terroir that has always been one of my all-time favorites when it comes to easy drinking but complex and unique Rieslings. Mouthfilling but light, refined and elegant on the palate, this is a dense and sustainable, quite powerful dry Riesling with a long, aromatic, intense and seriously structured finish. The acidity is an electric beam but focused on fully ripe and textured fruit. There is no need to open a bottle of this classic wine all too soon. Bottled in April with 11.5% stated alcohol. Drink to 2040."
92 points.
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate (May 2025)