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Heyl zu Herrnsheim

Like many estates of Rheinhessen, Heyl zu Herrnsheim has centuries of history. Located in Nierstein on the Rhine, the estate and buildings, which are in the style of  Tuscan villa, date from 1561. Originally founded by the Heyl barons, the estate subsequently passed to their descendants Peter and Isa von Weymann in 1969. During the 1990s control passed to the current owners, the Ahr family foundation. Markus Winfried Ahr, who lives and works on the estate, currently has control, assisted by a dynamic team, headed up by estate manager Michael Burgdorf.

Heyl zu Herrnsheim own vines in all the major vineyards of Nierstein, including sole ownership of the Brudersberg vineyard. Other significant sites include, from Nierstein heading north towards Nackenheim; Orbel, Ölberg, Hipping, Pettental and Rothenberg. All of these vineyards are on the red slate, the Roter Hang, that typifies the region. The vineyards, which total about 24 ha, are largely planted with Riesling (60%), with 10% Weißburgunder, 18% Silvaner and 12% Müller-Thurgau. Vineyard management is careful, favouring ecologically sound and sustainable practices over the use of less natural methods, although the exact nature of these practices isn't openly declared; I suspect that practices are organic, leaning towards some elements of biodynamics.

Markus Ahr has a philosophy of only producing wines of spätlese level or above from single vineyard sites, putting the wine from lesser grapes towards a number of generic cuvées. These varietal wines are the entry level for the estate, and feature all of the four varieties cultivated at Heyl zu Herrnsheim. There is also an Edelzwicker-style blend of these grapes, known as Arcadia. (28/7/05)

Contact details:
Address: Mathildenhof, Langgasse 3, 55283 Nierstein
Telephone: +49 (0) 6133 5708 0
Fax: +49 (0) 6133 5708 80
Internet: www.heyl-zu-herrnsheim.de

Heyl zu Herrnsheim - Tasting Notes

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Heyl zu Herrnsheim 'Heyl' Riesling Kabinett 2004: Spring morning dew on the nose. Rather simple though. Pleasant weight, some good flavour, but not a breath-taking presence on the palate. Needs a year or two I think. Good. 14.5+/20 (May 2005)

Heyl zu Herrnsheim Niersteiner 'Baron Heyl' Riesling Spätlese 2004: Simple, slightly herbal nose. Lovely presence on the palate though, with some good exotic fruits. Decent weight. Correct acidity. It has structure. This is a wine for the cellar; needs ten years at least. Very good. 15.5+/20 (May 2005)

Heyl zu Herrnsheim Niersteiner Ölberg Trocken Spätlese 2003: Floral, chalky, dry and dusty nose. Bone dry style on the palate, quite lean and chalky, but it lacks great character. Plenty of body backed up by firm alcohol though. Nettly flavour which has some appeal. Good.  14/20 (May 2005)

Heyl zu Herrnsheim Rotschiefer Riesling Trocken 2002: Suggested by Nuria Frau-Trullen of the Langham Hotel for wild sea bass with a clam and scallop risotto. Precise, mineral fruit, with melon and mango aromas. Very dry palate, with good body. Mineral, herb-trimmed palate with only subtle hints of the delightful tropical fruit found on the nose. This is good. From a Sommelier's Choice tasting. 15.5/20 (May 2005)

Heyl zu Herrnsheim Niersteiner 'Baron Heyl' Riesling Auslese 1999: A gorgeous nose; honey, freshly dripped from the comb, with notes of mango and barley sugar. Lovely weight; rich and velvety, and there is complexity coming in here. Mineral notes, textured and viscous, showing crystalline tropical fruits. This has beautiful style and depth, and has a great future. Will take 15-20 years to hit its peak. 18+/20 (May 2005)

Heyl zu Herrnsheim Niersteiner Brudersberg Riesling Spätlese 1988: A pale, lemon-green-golden wine, with good evidence of complexity on the nose. Despite its age there's a great depth of fruit, together with petrol and mealy aromas, a rich, honeyed edge, as well as nuances of smoke and thyme. The palate doesn't disappoint. It has a delightful weight, quite richly textured, with forceful yet balanced acidity. This, together with tingling residual carbon dioxide, even after all this time in bottle, keeps up with the almost creamy mouthfeel. There's a bitter and peppery twist towards finish, suggestive of almonds. Delightfully structured, delicious wine. 17/20 (June 2002) AP number: 4 382 093 29 89 Label

Heyl zu Herrnsheim Rehbach Riesling Beerenauslese 1976: Great colour. Botrytis here, honey and apricots, and evident richness. Complexity too, a mineral depth, great weight and the structure to support it all. Plush and velvety, rich with rocky botrytis character on the palate, although the sweetness has faded to a balanced state. Lovely, stylish wine. Drink now. Excellent. 18.5/20 (May 2005)