PFALZ 2025: The Pfalz Strikes Gold!

By Pawel Gruntowski - last revision 06.05.26

PART ONE: Everything Went Right

The Pfalz entered the 2025 harvest period with a confidence born of long, dry weeks that pushed ripeness to the edge, but not over it. Producers would likely declare this exceptional. An unusually early harvest, with many estates finishing in early September (before the rain that caused problems in some other regions!) delivered fruit of impressive ripeness while preserving the refreshing acidity that defines the region’s best wines. Achieving this balance is never guaranteed in warm years, yet in 2025 it was struck with remarkable consistency across grape varieties.

The 2025 vintage is defined by low yields, around 20% below the previous (already low-yield) year, with small but healthy berries. Producers consistently report concentrated fruit, excellent physiological ripeness, and naturally balanced musts. Although the Pfalz is known for abundant sunshine and modest rainfall, 2025 delivered an extra measure of both ripeness and freshness. The reward came through focus and restraint: skilled vineyard work, careful canopy management, and precise picking decisions. 

The result is wines that capture the region at its best—powerfully flavoured yet vibrant, concentrated yet refreshing. Quality is already high at the entry level wines, and the grape varieties show excellent varietal expression and purity. Anticipation is naturally high for the upper quality levels (GGs and similar wines), though those wines cannot be assessed until later this year.

Spending just a few days in the vineyards of the Pfalz,as I did immediately prior to the Mainzer Weinbörse wine trade fair, makes it clear that this is a region capable of sustained excellence. One could argue that producers were simply lucky in 2025, but the wines reveal something deeper: the essence of Pfalz topography, sunshine, warmth, and the gentle breezes that coax out purity and concentration, all of which still needs to be harnessed by human hands. In short, 2025 gave the Pfalz a rare opportunity to show the full breadth of its strengths, and the producers made the most of it. 2025 is definitely a vintage that will be remembered.

60 wines tasted, including one dry Riesling and one dry Scheurebe with 95 points.

The 60 tasting notes that follow are only visible to paying members.

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PART TWO: Sunshine & Fresh Air

DRY WEISSBURGUNDER, GRAUBURGUNDER & CHARDONNAY

Bergdolt  Pfalz  Weissburgunder  St. Lamprecht trocken, 2025 – ??% / Fresh quince, delicious yellow apple and pear with touch of peach ripeness deliver round density and refreshing pure finish. 91 (PG)

Bergdolt  Pfalz  Weissburgunder  Kirrweiler  Mineral  trocken, 2025 – ??% /Ripe peach and apricot over yellow apple and pear over nice oily structure. Zesty acidity lifts the flavours creating solid and pure expression. 93 (PG)

Bernhart  Pfalz  Weissburgunder  trocken, 2025 – ??% / Fresh orchard fruit and almond blossom meet a chalky and saline undertow, giving this gentle wine lovely clarity and lift. 92 (PG)

Bernhart  Pfalz  Grauburgunder  trocken, 2025 – ??% / Lean and delicate apple and lemon zest with a flinty note and a touch of saltiness deliver a direct and focused finish. 90 (PG)

Jülg  Pfalz  Weissburgunder  Vom Kalk trocken  2025 – ??% / Ripe orchard fruit wrapped around firm and pure core, crushed stones and mirabelle delight finish. 92 (PG)

Knipser  Pfalz  Grauburgunder  trocken  2025 – ??% / Fragrant yellow flowers, yellow apple and mirabelle with pure and direct palate and clean refreshing finish. 91 (PG)

Kranz  Pfalz  Weisser Burgunder  trocken  2025 – ??% / Ripe yellow apple and mirabelle meet pear and grapefruit in a refreshing and clean palate with a gentle saline lift at the finish. 92 (PG)

Herbert Meßmer, Pfalz, Weissburgunder & Chardonnay, trocken, 2025 – 12.5% / Subtle ripe peach and apricot with apple and pear with just a touch of grapefruit freshness. 89 (PG)

Theo Minges, Pfalz, Weissburgunder, trocken, 2025 – ??% / Soft orchard fruit meets refreshing lemon and grapefruit. Direct and light with refreshing finish. 89 (PG)

Münzberg (Gunter Kessler)  Pfalz  Weisser Burgunder  trocken  2025 – ??% / Pear skin and mirabelle and yellow apple over zesty lemon freshness; understated but well defined. 91 (PG)

Münzberg (Gunter Kessler)  Pfalz  Weisser Burgunder  Godramstein Löß Lehm trocken  2025 – ??% / Warm loess soil-driven ripe quince and apple flavours, anchored by gentle mineral layer, giving breadth without losing focus. 91 (PG)

Münzberg (Gunter Kessler)  Pfalz Weisser Burgunder  Godramstein Kalkgestein trocken  2025 – ??% / Chalk dust and flinty structure layered with ripe apple, juicy lemon, grapefruit and peach. Touch of spiciness rounds up the body into a layered finish. 92 (PG)

Münzberg (Gunter Kessler)  Pfalz  Grauer Burgunder  Godramstein Kalkmergel trocken  2025 – ??% / Delicate pinkish hue brings in fresh lemon, pink grapefruit, blood orange and sour cherry freshness. Round structure with a touch of creaminess has elegance to it. 92 (PG)

Münzberg (Gunter Kessler)  Pfalz  Chardonnay  Godramstein Kalkgestein trocken  2025 – ??% / Fine and pure expression of Chardonnay from limestone. Fresh peach and apricot with mango and melon on elegant creamy background with a touch of oak spice. Tasty! 93 (PG)

Ökonomierat Rebholz  Pfalz  Weisser Burgunder  Siebeldingen vom Muschelkalk trocken  2025 – ??% / Delicate flowers underpinned by apple, pear and quince and round texture. Refreshing citrus freshness rounds up the palate into pleasant finish. 92 (PG)

Pfeffingen  Pfalz  Weissburgunder  trocken  2025 – ??% / Ripe yellow apple and quince with touch of almond over refreshing chalky and baked apple palate finishing with pure and elegant lift. 92 (PG)

Pfeffingen  Pfalz  Grauburgunder  trocken  2025 – ??% / Pear, quince and ripe apple over crushed stone dryness give this wine ripe yet refreshing and almost savoury definition. 92 (PG)

Pfeffingen  Pfalz  Chardonnay  Ungstein SP trocken  2025 – ??% / Ripe peach and apricot together with melon and mango over gentle oak spice. Lovely opulence lifted by lemon zest freshness with a lasting finish. 93 (PG)

Siegrist  Pfalz  Pinot Blanc  trocken  2025 – ??% / Soft apple, pear and quince over refreshing acidity and touch of white pepper. May seem understated at first, but it’s well focused and pure with graceful mineral lift. 93 (PG)

Dr. Wehrheim Pfalz  Weissburgunder  Buntstück trocken 2025 – ??% / Well-defined and ripe apricot and Mirabelle with refreshing lemon and apple flavours create a dry and round palate with a delicate finish. 91 (PG)

Dr. Wehrheim  Pfalz  Weissburgunder  Birkweiler Muschelkalk trocken 2025 – ??% / One can easily imagine generous climate of the Pfalz in these well-ripe peach and apricot fruit flavours underpinned with zesty freshness and oily richness giving a delightful finish. 92 (PG)

ROSÉ

Knipser, Pfalz, Rosé, Clarette, trocken, 2025 – 11.5% / Delicate strawberry, cherry, redcurrant with a touch of herbs on a light and refreshing backbone. Cabernet Sauvignon at its lightest. 90 (PG)

Münzberg  (Gunter Kessler)  Pfalz  Spätburgunder  Rosé trocken  2025 – ??% / Redcurrant, cherry, and tomato leaf with a touch of raspberry sweet deliver light and refreshing dry rosé. 90 (PG)

DRY SAUVIGNON BLANC, SCHEUREBE & MUSKATELLER

Acham-Magin  Pfalz  Scheurebe  trocken  2025 – ??% /  Fragrant passion fruit, mango and melon spread over ripe stone and citrus fruit delivering a cool, zesty freshness and crystalline edge. 91 (PG)

Fitz Ritter  Pfalz  Sauvignon Blanc  trocken  2025 – ??% / Gooseberry, nettle and freshly cut grass over refreshing lime, lemon zest plus crushed stones deliver a linear and focused Sauvignon Blanc. 91 (PG)

Theo Minges  Pfalz  Gelber Muskateller  trocken  2025 – ??% / Very fragrant with jasmine and honeysuckle over a layer of peach, passion fruit and mango, refreshing with delicate finish. 91 (PG)

Theo Minges  Pfalz  Scheurebe  Gleisweiler trocken  2025 – ??% / Lemon and grapefruit meet pineapple and mango. Round structure with zesty freshness showing a delicate side of Scheurebe. 91 (PG)

Georg Mosbacher  Pfalz  Sauvignon Blanc  trocken  2025 – ??% / Capsicum, green asparagus, and gooseberry over lime and lemon freshness showing varietal purity and focus. 90 (PG)

Müller-Catoir  Pfalz  Scheurebe  MC trocken  2025 – 12.5% / Expressive apple, grapefruit and peach race across a razor clean palate. Electric acidity and pure flavours make this Scheurebe delightful. 91 (PG) 

Ökonomierat Rebholz  Pfalz  Muskateller  trocken  2025 – ??%, / Perfumed, with jasmine and lime blossom with ripe peach, lychee and mango. Lifted by crisp lemony freshness at the pure, lingering finish. 92 (PG)

Pfeffingen  Pfalz  Scheurebe  Ungstein trocken  2025 – ??% / Ripe apricot, perfumed mango and passion fruit are a delight to taste. Well defined palate with clean flavours offer a pure and refreshing body with a touch of opulence. 93 (PG)

Pfeffingen  Pfalz  Scheurebe  Ungstein SP trocken  2025 – ??% / Long considered a specialist for Scheurebe in Pfalz, already at village wine level Pfeffingen show their skill and confidence. Made into a well-structured and opulent wine with passion fruit and mango ripeness underlined with oak spice and a creamy texture, then lifted by zesty acidity. 95 (PG)

DRY RIESLING

Acham-Magin  Pfalz  Riesling  Purist trocken 2025 – ??% / True to its moniker, delivers superb freshness of lemon, lime, grapefruit and apple on a chalky-crushed stone framework with a crystal-clear finish. 92 (PG)

Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan  Pfalz  Riesling  trocken  2025 – ??% / A citrus-lined Riesling with floral lift and a touch of peach, then a clear and light finish. 89 (PG)

Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan  Pfalz  Riesling  Ruppertsberg trocken, 2025 – 12.5% / Sandy soil brings in delicate pine, rosemary and thyme perfume on fresh lemon and grapefruit with crushed stone palate and gentle finish. 91 (PG)

Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan  Pfalz  Riesling  Deidesheim trocken  2025 – 12.5% / Ripe apricot and peach with refreshing lemon and apple and a touch of melon with a round structure. Acidity pulls everything upward, leaving a long, shimmering mineral trail. 92 (PG)

Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan  Pfalz  Riesling  Forst trocken  2025 – 12.5% / Powerful citrus freshness carries lemon and lime zest with green apple and electric chalky structure with delicate floral perfume. Direct and pure. 91 (PG)

Bergdolt  Pfalz  Riesling  Duttweiler Kalkmergel trocken  2025 – ??% / Lemon oil, green apple, quince with ripe apricot. For now slightly closed but the youthful character, vibrant acidity and purity of flavours show great promise. 92 (PG)

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf  Pfalz  Riesling  trocken  2025 – ??% / Herbal lift and citrus pith ride over a chalk dry core; ripe Mirabelle plum and quince bring in another dimension and chiselled precision. 92 (PG)

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf  Pfalz  Riesling  Ruppertsberg Village trocken  2025 – ??% / Lovely fragrant peach and apricot laced with white flowers, lemon zest and leesy richness meet resonant crushed stones, creating a grounded yet lifted wine with sandstone-like depth. 94 (PG)

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf  Pfalz  Riesling  Wachenheim Village trocken  2025 – ??% / Fragrant ripe apricot, melon and yellow apple lifted by a zingy grapefruit freshness. Round and well-structured palate delivering tight and layered finish. 93 (PG)

Jülg Pfalz  Riesling  vom Kalk trocken  2025 – ??% / Limestone energy — lemon, grapefruit, white peach and blossom bound together by zesty freshness. 91 (PG)

Jülg  Pfalz  Weißburgunder  vom Kalk trocken  2025 – ??% / Ripe orchard fruit wrapped around firm and pure core, crushed stones and mirabelle delight at the finish. 92 (PG)

Knipser  Pfalz  Riesling  Kapellchen trocken  2025 – ??% /  Citrus peel, ripe apple and pear on round and refreshing palate. Light and zingy. 91 (PG)

Kranz  Pfalz  Riesling  trocken  2025 – ??% / Green apple, lime, and pear with refreshing zesty acidity show a well-defined and focused Riesling expression. 91 (PG)

Kranz  Pfalz  Riesling  Ilbesheim  trocken, 2025 – ??% / Well-defined grapefruit, apple and lemon bring-in a mouth-watering freshness and spring flowers notes shaping a wine with impressive focus. 93 (PG)

Philipp Kuhn  Pfalz  Riesling  Tradition trocken  2025 – ??% / Green apple, lemon and grapefruit with a floral and crushed stones fragrance with light refreshing finish. 91 (PG)

Georg Mosbacher  Pfalz  Riesling  trocken  2025 – ??% / Green apple, lemon and spring flowers with direct zesty acidity and a delicate lean finish. 90 (PG)

Müller-Catoir  Pfalz  Riesling  Gimmeldingen trocken  2025 – 12.5% / Lime zest, peach, and a pinch of tropical tones glide over a finely etched mineral backbone. Focused and intense flavours shimmer with floral perfume over a long finish. A great result for the first vintage of the new winemaker! 95 (PG)

Ökonomierat Rebholz  Pfalz  Riesling  Siebeldingen vom Buntsandstein trocken, 2025 – ??% / Enticing freshness of lemon, grapefruit and white peach layered with crushed stones and chalky texture. Well defined and pure. 92 (PG)

Ökonomierat Rebholz  Pfalz  Riesling  Burrweiler vom Schiefer trocken 2025 – ??% / Fragrant spring blossom, yellow apple and quince underpinned with razor-sharp freshness and elegant tension on finish. From the only corner of the Pfalz with slate soils. 93 (PG)

Ökonomierat Rebholz  Pfalz  Riesling  Birkweiler vom Rotliegenden trocken  2025 – ??% / Intensely ripe grapefruit, apple and white peach on the well-rounded palate. Crushed stones and zesty texture add to a deeper and more structured Riesling expression. 94 (PG)

Ökonomierat Rebholz  Pfalz  Riesling  Siebeldingen vom Muschelkalk trocken  2025 – ??% / Lovely white and yellow flowers aromas together with lemon oil and white peach. Chalky texture boosted by electric freshnes is a fine example of a Riesling from a limestone site. 94 (PG)

Pfeffingen  Pfalz  Riesling  Ey mal 1 trocken 2025 – ??% / Lime, green apple and delicate flowers with a shining mineral crunch and electric acidity open to pure and focused finish. Just bottled, so it will shine even brighter in a few weeks’ time. 92 (PG)

Pfeffingen  Pfalz  Riesling  Ungstein Kalkstein trocken  2025 – ??% / Apple peach and grapefruit with spring flowers on zesty-fresh palate with round leesy backbone. A touch of chalky texture accentuates the purity and elegance. 93 (PG)

Pfeffingen  Pfalz  Riesling  Ungstein Terra Rossa trocken  2025 – ??% / Warm iron-rich red soil creates a pure and powerful wine. Razor sharp freshness and clean lemon, lime and grapefruit flavours with touch a leesy structure create an electrifying dry Riesling. 94 (PG)

Karl Schaefer  Pfalz  Riesling  trocken  2025 – ??% / Green apple, lemon peel and herbs shape a bright and pure Riesling expression. The palate is zesty and linear with a clean finish. 91 (PG)

Karl Schaefer  Pfalz  Riesling  Dürkheim Sonnentropfen trocken, 2025 – ??% / Lemon peel, yellow apple, Mirabelle and plenty of blossom together with crushed stones give a finely crafted Riesling with a well-focused palate and a persistent finish. 92 (PG)

Siegrist  Pfalz  Riesling  Heidenbäumel trocken  2025 – ??% / Lovely spring blossom and elderflower with white peach, grapefruit, ripe apple and quince glide across a finely etched palate with fine and round finish. 93 (PG)

Von Winning  Pfalz  Riesling  WIN WIN trocken 2025 – ??% / Yellow apple, citrus pith with a touch of flowers and peach shape a very youthful and direct Riesling with crystalline clarity. 91 (PG)

NOBLY SWEET RIESLING

Theo Minges  Pfalz  Riesling  Auslese  2025 – ??% / Very fragrant peach, melon, mango, with a touch of pear, baked apple and mirabelle. Smooth and round palate with delicious fruity sweetness over a refreshing backbone. 93 (PG)