Purity. Striking, crystalline purity. Like 24 karat gold at 99.99% purity, a dry Riesling incises the palate with a razor of acidity, and laser-beam precision. This is it folks, that whole craze of going BONE DRY in the relatively warmer, riper Riesling growing epicenters of Germany resulting in wines that compete with the Grand Crus of Burgundy in richness and complexity, can be found in this entry-level beauty. While single-vineyard GG renditions fetch hefty prices, this is a LOT of wine under $20.

Bright and pale lime green with faint white gold glimmers that reflect vividly in the light. Clear, cool, flinty, citrusy, with stone and tropical fruit nuances and a faint umami touch. Medium-bodied, intense, and driven by a striking apricot-melon hint through minerality and floral nuances. Nobly textured, piquant and long with ample power and tension on a dry aromatic finale. For pairings the sky is the limit, it’s complex enough to compliment most seafood, creamy or ethnic fare.

Prinz is a member of the ultimate consortium of select wineries, the VDP or Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter – good luck pronouncing that if you don’t speak German. What we all can pronounce is YUMMY, guaranteed by some people who take their wine way too seriously, assuring nothing but impeccable quality. See for yourselves, get on the leftmost lane on the Riesling autobahn, and step on the gas.

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

91 Points – James Suckling - “I returned to the Rheingau to score nearly 400 wines from the 2015 vintage and, indeed, the rumors are true. The Rheingau is finally back! Some of the winemakers who did this best like Fred Prinz are not well known, but their wines are spectacular. The fact that the winery Fred Prinz founded in 1991 produced the highest rated wines of our report says a great deal about the recent development of the Rheingau. His cellars sit under an average suburban house in the small town of Hallgarten. There are no castles, no moats, behind this honest winemaker producing world-class wine. The subtle lemon-zest and wild-herb aromas and mountain freshness make this ripe yet sleek Dry Riesling very impressive for the humble category. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.”

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate - “Fred Prinz has farmed almost 8 hectares of vines in the higher, windier altitudes of Hallgarten far above the Rhine. He has bottled an excellent collection of the finest 2015 Rieslings. From poorer, stonier soils with gravel, slate and quartz, these are firmly structured and characterful wines that need their time to open up. Bottled rather early in spring, their focus is on both fruit and terroir. These are classic Rheingau wines with a vital acidity, and in 2015, super ripe and concentrated fruit flavors give these wines a round and intense taste. The 2015 Rheingau Riesling Trocken is very clear, fresh and precise on the nose, indicating classic Riesling flavors of lemon and white stone fruits along with earthy flavors. On the palate, this is an elegant, light to medium-bodied, but well-structured Riesling with a refined fruit and well-balanced finish.”