Martin Worner Marto Riesling 2019

100% Riesling. There is a new generation of young winemakers in Germany, challenging the wine world's view on what German natural wine is, and at the forefront is Martin Wörner and his label Marto. Since his first vintage in 2016, this 27-year-old is the producer on everyone’s lips in Tokyo, New York, London, and Paris. Martin comes from an agricultural background, his grandfather was a pioneer, a grape grower that was one of the first in their village of Flonheim to bottle wine under his own banner rather than selling the grapes to the co-op. Flonheim is located in the western part of the Rheinhessen, near the Nahe region. Martin’s father did not have much interest in the vineyards, making his livelihood instead farming strawberries. The family continued to maintain the vineyards, but until Martin took over in 2015, all the fruit was sold to the co-op. Martin works on 5 hectares of vines currently, all in organic farming with some biodynamic principles applied. The focus has always been on soil health and getting that right first. He uses cover crops of radishes, beetroots, and turnips throughout the vineyards, on the steeper slopes it is incredibly important to assist with stopping soil erosion. Sheep are used to eat the grasses and no-tilling occurs. Despite his young age, Martin sought out experience from some of the best producers. In 2015 he worked at Gut Oggau (one of our fave producers!) with Eduard and Stephanie Tscheppe and in 2016 at Matassa with Tom Lubbe, so you know these wines are never bad. Èlevage is in old barrels, foudres and Mosel casks. All work is done by hand, all the wines are unfiltered, unfined, and without any additions. Under German law, Martin is unable to put the village on the label, so the rock is a nod to Flonheim and its characteristic sandstone. HIs 2019 Riesling is an incredibly raw version of Riesling with delicious salty, juniper, and yellow plum skin notes. Grown on sandstone soil, the grapes are hand-harvested, fermented with native yeasts in large, old foudres. No fining or filtration. Electric energy pulsates from beginning to end. Get your hands on Marto because these will go quickly.