Unplugged Riesling

James Suckling, Jul/2023

2022 -

"A nose of aromatic old apple varieties with a touch of lime zest. So much power and so much energy for just 11.5% alcohol. Sleek and very bright with a wonderful lime zest freshness. The salty finish pulls you back for more. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Dec/2023

2022 -

"The third decade of Tesch's former Kabinett trocken starts with the 2022 Riesling Unplugged, which opens with an intense, complex, mineral-driven nose of ripe, aromatic fruits. The medium-bodied dry Riesling is pure, tight, stimulating and transparent as well as saline on the naked finish. It is denser and more complex than the 2022 Tesch Riesling trocken yet not necessarily more attractive. It is more stringent and age-worthy, sure. Yet its true class will come out after some years of bottle age. 12% stated alcohol. Stelvin screw cap. Tasted in October 2023."

James Suckling, Aug/2022

2021 -

"This dry riesling squares the circle of Old German seriousness and joyfully youthful energy. Stunning mineral freshness on the very focused palate, but also a touch of playfulness that makes you long for more of the serious stuff and pulls your hand back to the glass. Bone dry and extremely vivid finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Dec/2022

2021 -

"The 2021 Riesling Unplugged offers a deep, pure and substantial nose with remarkable complexity and stony expression. Lush and round on the palate, this is an intense, saline and balanced dry Riesling with good phenol grip and fine citrus fruit bitters. The 2021 is seriously structured and shows intense and juicy fruit with stimulating grip. This is an excellent Riesling and surely one of the finest in its 21 years of existence."

James Suckling, Sep/2021

2020 -

"The focus of a laser beam and the brilliance of a soaring guitar solo make this a remarkable dry riesling for this category. Wonderful lemon-blossom and lemon-cream aromas, plus a stunning harmony of ripeness of crisp, mineral acidity. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Sep/2021

2020 -

"The 2020 Riesling Unplugged opens very discreet yet clear and fresh on the nose. On the palate, this is a vibrantly fresh, dry, round, intense and piquant, straightforward Riesling with stimulating grip on the fresh and citric finish. 12.5% alcohol. Screw cap."

Gismondi on Wine, May/2023

2020 -

"Weingut Tesch was established in 1723 and is a classic producer in Germany’s Nahe region. Unplugged is just as it sounds; free from wood and makeup, driven by racy, ripping acidity and juicy bright orchard fruits with a stony mineral undercurrent. Thought to be richer than the Mosel, it vibrates with electricity throughout and finishes with an orange peel essence that makes it as exotic as it gets for wine. This fabulous food wine is always impressive in its simplicity and complexity. Riesling nerds should stock up." - Anthony Gismondi

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Oct/2019

2018 -

"Martin Tesch calls his 2018 Riesling Unplugged "the star of the vintage," and he's does so with good reasons and even more enthusiasm. The 2018 is one of his best Unpluggeds, along with 2015 and also 2017. Bottled with 12% alcohol, this is a winner from an exceptionally warm and dry vintage. New canopy management (higher leaf walls for more shadow between the rows) brings back the Nordic character of the Unplugged that opens with a pure, straight and refreshing nose of white fruits and lemon aromas. On the palate, this is a light and refreshing but structured and even tensioned dry Riesling with mouthwatering phenolic grip on the stimulating and persistent finish. This wine is clear, linear and elegant as always, with no ornaments, no fat, no palatable sweetness and no compromise. The 2018 Unplugged is a terrific Bauhaus Riesling that seems to celebrate the 100th birthday of the art movement that is as vital as this iconic Nahe wine from Martin Tesch. Yes, a star of the vintage, Dr. Tesch! Tasted in August 2019."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Oct/2019

2018 -

"Martin Tesch calls his 2018 Riesling Unplugged "the star of the vintage," and he's does so with good reasons and even more enthusiasm. The 2018 is one of his best Unpluggeds, along with 2015 and also 2017. Bottled with 12% alcohol, this is a winner from an exceptionally warm and dry vintage. New canopy management (higher leaf walls for more shadow between the rows) brings back the Nordic character of the Unplugged that opens with a pure, straight and refreshing nose of white fruits and lemon aromas. On the palate, this is a light and refreshing but structured and even tensioned dry Riesling with mouthwatering phenolic grip on the stimulating and persistent finish. This wine is clear, linear and elegant as always, with no ornaments, no fat, no palatable sweetness and no compromise. The 2018 Unplugged is a terrific Bauhaus Riesling that seems to celebrate the 100th birthday of the art movement that is as vital as this iconic Nahe wine from Martin Tesch. Yes, a star of the vintage, Dr. Tesch! Tasted in August 2019."

Wine Spectator, Feb/2020

2018 -

"Herbal and floral, with a lean body. The acidity and minerality combine to build a firm structure. This is more about texture and minerality than fruit. Approachable, but should be paired with food. Drink now through 2024. 7,100 cases made, 1,050 cases imported."

Wine Spectator, May/2019

2017 -

"Aromas of saffron and chamomile lead to zesty orange and green apple notes in this refreshing and mouthwatering white, which leaves a savory mineral impression on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 7,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported."

James Suckling, Nov/2017

2016 -

Decanter World Wine Awards 2018

2015 -

"Distinctive nose with good varietal character. Spiciness and minerality on the palate. Drinking beautifully now."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Mar/2016

2014 -

"The 2014 Riesling trocken Unplugged (AP #10 15) is discreet but reveals a certain fruit intensity and depth on the nose. Medium-bodied, round yet bone dry and well structured, with the typical Riesling acidity and a persistent mineral acidity, this is a serious and expressive food Riesling for more than just fish."

Jancis Robinson, Nov/2014

2014 -

Remarkable clarity, and depth, of fruit for the the most basic wine produced by Martin Tesch. Although it's so yound, it can offer some richness and passion fruit quality, followed by finely etched structure and marked but not painful acidity. Bones dry. But again, not painful, and I write with acute toothache."

Gismondi on Wine, Feb/2017

2014 -

"Established in 1723, Weingut Tesch is one of Germany’s classic producers, typifying the Nahe. Unplugged is driven by racy, ripping acidity, driving heady yellow fruit, green fig, white peach and honeysuckle, all cut by weathered stone and funky earthiness. Though Nahe's generosity is cut with the shearing acidity and crystalline orange peel, this is still very dense, vibrating on the finish. Not quite cohesive at this point, but still fun to drink (unlike what the dude on the label will make you think)."

James Suckling, Jan/2017

2015 -

"Martin Tesch has hit the bullseye with his regular quality dry riesling in 2015! The fresh pear and lemon aromas are just a shade riper than usual, but on the palate this has the Tesch samurai-sword brightness and sharpness. Bone dry and rather light-bodied, it is already beautifully balanced. This retails in Germany for just below 10 euros and is amazing value!"