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Carl Koch – Oppenheimer Sackträger Riesling trocken “Erster Sack”

Oppenheimer Sackträger Riesling trocken “Erster Sack” 2020 Carl Koch

Original price was: 31,00 €.Current price is: 28,70 €.

Manufacturer
Year	2020
Typology	White Wine
Format	75 Cl
Origin	Germany
Grape Variety	Riesling
Label	Indigenous Yeast, Organic, Wood

Description
Manufacturer

Carl Koch – Oppenheimer Sackträger Riesling trocken “Erster Sack” 2020

Overview

The Erster Sack 2020 is a flagship dry Riesling from the single-vineyard site Sackträger in Oppenheim, Rheinhessen. This wine captures the soul of the region through its elegance, precision, and minerality. Born in an excellent vintage, it balances ripeness and freshness in perfect harmony. A pure expression of terroir, it is both immediately appealing and capable of graceful evolution over time.

The Story

The name Erster Sack refers to a premium selection from the finest parcels of the Sackträger vineyard. It embodies Carl Koch’s commitment to showcasing the individuality of his organically certified vineyards. The 2020 vintage was marked by balanced temperatures and a slow, even ripening period, resulting in grapes of remarkable aromatic definition. The wine reflects the estate’s minimalist philosophy: spontaneous fermentation and gentle handling to preserve the natural essence of Riesling.

Philosophy in the Vineyard

The Sackträger vineyard lies on deep loess soils with clay and marl sublayers, naturally rich in limestone. This structure gives the wines their hallmark minerality and subtle saline finish. The site’s southern exposure provides abundant sunlight, balanced by cool nights that maintain acidity and tension. Vineyard work follows certified organic principles, with low yields, hand harvesting, and an emphasis on ecological balance. The result is fruit that carries the full character of its origin.

Approach in the Cellar

Fermentation is spontaneous with indigenous yeasts. The wine spends 11 months in large Stockinger oak barrels after a 72-hour maceration on the skins. No malolactic fermentation is induced, and filtration is kept to a minimum. Only minimal sulfites are added before bottling. The approach is artisanal and non-interventionist, allowing the vineyard to speak for itself. The 2020 “Erster Sack” shows remarkable clarity and depth, combining structure, freshness, and delicate textural finesse.

Tasting Notes

Color: bright pale gold with silvery reflections, clear and vibrant.
Nose: ripe yellow fruit – peach, apricot, lemon zest – with delicate smoky and nutty undertones, and a faint hint of vanilla from oak integration.
Palate: dry, precise, and layered; fine acidity supports a rounded texture, with mineral grip and a long, saline finish revealing citrus zest and subtle spice.

Food Pairing

An ideal partner for baked or grilled white fish, shellfish, and lightly spiced Asian cuisine. The acidity makes it a great match for dishes with citrus, ginger, or lemongrass. Also excellent with soft cheeses or roasted poultry with herbs. A versatile wine for both elegant dining and casual sophistication.

Technical Sheet

Grape variety: 100% Riesling
Appellation: Qualitätswein, Rheinhessen (Germany)
Alcohol: 12.5% vol
Aging: 11 months in Stockinger oak barrels, 72 h skin maceration
Vinification: spontaneous fermentation, minimal filtration
Residual sugar: trocken (dry)
Serving temperature: 8–10 °C
Contains sulfites

Carl Koch

History

The Carl Koch estate stands as one of the most significant wineries in the Rheinhessen region, long regarded as Germany’s “wine reservoir,” historically focused more on volume than on quality. The Koch family has overturned that perception through a legacy of over 170 years, marked by passion, vision, and craftsmanship. The story begins in 1855, when Friedrich Koch established the first quinine production facility on the family property — a groundbreaking medical discovery against malaria. Thirty years later, his son Carl Koch returned to the family’s roots in viticulture, converting the estate into a full-fledged winery. On the hills overlooking Oppenheim-am-Rhein and Dienheim, he planted vineyards that would redefine the region’s identity. Today, under the guidance of Paul Berkes, the seventh generation, the estate covers more than 12 hectares, cultivated organically and certified since 2010.

Philosophy in the Vineyard

At Carl Koch, viticulture is guided by a profound respect for nature and the expression of a unique terroir. The soils, alkaline and clay-limestone in composition, give the wines remarkable minerality and aromatic precision, unlike any other in Germany’s classic regions. The vineyards enjoy generous sunshine overlooking the Rhine, nurturing Riesling, Sylvaner, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and St. Laurent. Every decision is taken with ecological balance in mind: no chemical intrusion, manual harvesting, and low yields ensure the utmost purity. Each grape tells the story of its origin, allowing the wines to capture the true essence of their landscape.

Winemaking Approach

In the cellar, the work of young Argentine winemaker Augustin Nova (formerly at Kloster Eberbach) has propelled the quality of Carl Koch’s wines to stellar heights. Fermentations are spontaneous, and aging takes place in stainless steel, Austrian oak barrels, or acacia casks. Malolactic fermentation is never induced and is often avoided in white wines to preserve freshness and tension. Each technical choice serves a single purpose: elegance. The wines are refined, perfumed, and harmonious — more approachable at the table than many of their Mosel or Nahe counterparts, yet no less impressive in finesse and balance.

Identity and Future Vision

Carl Koch’s vision is that of a modern, mindful viticulture, deeply rooted in tradition. Every bottle reflects German precision and artisanal sensitivity, with time and nature as the core elements. Production remains intentionally limited, rarely exceeding 2,000 bottles per label, making these wines true collector’s treasures. The pursuit of absolute quality is paired with an understated, elegant aesthetic that honors the transparency of the terroir. Carl Koch continues to prove that Rheinhessen can stand proudly alongside Germany’s most renowned regions, offering wines that are elegant, harmonious, and profoundly authentic.