There are wines that grab you—not just because they taste great, but because they tell a story, because they have character, and because they arrive in your life at exactly the right moment. This section is all about those discoveries. Sometimes they’re rare gems, sometimes they’re hidden treasures from under-the-radar producers, and sometimes they come from the big names. Not always the most expensive or the loudest, but always wines with soul. Wines that take risks and have something to say. Every bottle featured here has moved me deeply—and I’m sure they’ll do the same for you. Let yourself be inspired, and maybe you’ll find your next unforgettable wine experience.
Max Kaindl, March 10, 2025
Reading time about 4 minutes
Collector’s Gem –
My Latest Discoveries
Stradener Alte Reben Sauvignon Blanc 2015 – Neumeister
What a powerhouse! A Sauvignon Blanc that defies all expectations—forget the fruit-bomb stereotype. This is all about cool precision, structure, and a depth that unfolds with every second in the glass. The nose? Smoked bacon, mushrooms, dried herbs, and delicate floral notes. On the palate, an almost austere fruit core, sharp flintiness, gripping minerality, and pinpoint acidity. Endless grip, cellar-deep complexity, and a level of elegance that feels almost unfair. After nearly a decade of aging, there’s zero fatigue—on the contrary, it’s vibrant, fresh, and bursting with energy. Blind, I would have mistaken it for a top-tier Loire Chenin Blanc.
Background: Weingut Neumeister is located in the volcanic hills of Styria, a region that has long been overlooked. But the terroir here is extraordinary—steep, fragmented parcels, cool nights, and soils that give the wines razor-sharp definition. Neumeister has stayed true to his vision for years—unfazed by trends, yet relentlessly precise. Sauvignon Blanc here can take on a profile that rivals Chablis or the great Chenins of the Loire.
Kieselberg N Riesling 2022 – Michael Andres
This is how “natural” should be done! Michael Andres’ N series is his playground, and this Riesling from the Kieselberg vineyard in Deidesheim proves why it works. Spontaneously fermented, unfiltered, aged long on lees—yet this isn’t a cloudy, funky oddity. Instead, it’s a strikingly precise, finely tuned piece of Riesling craftsmanship. The nose is a wild interplay of grapefruit, mirabelle plum, fennel, and anise, backed by fresh herbs. On the palate, it’s ultra-cool (despite the hot, dry 2022 vintage), silky, with taut acidity and a shimmering mineral core. Not an ounce of excess weight—just pure elegance. A Riesling that will evolve for years but is already irresistibly drinkable.
Background: Michael Andres isn’t one for loud statements—he lets his wines speak. For years, he’s followed an uncompromising path of spontaneous fermentation, long lees aging, and minimal intervention. Recently, his equally ambitious and charismatic daughter, Elena, has joined him at the winery. Kieselberg is one of the Pfalz’s top sites—its cool exposure near the forest lends the wine an incredible tension. The 2022 vintage proves that natural can be world-class without oxidation or excessive funk.
Macharnudo San Cayetano Vino de Pasto Palomino Fino 2022 – De La Riva
Jerez—but different! If you think Palomino Fino is only about Sherry, this wine will change your mind. This is a still white wine from Jerez, showcasing what this grape can achieve beyond the traditional oxidative style. Strictly limited, sourced from 35-year-old vines on pure Albariza limestone, aged under flor—yet it doesn’t follow the classic Fino path. The nose explodes with lime, green apricot, hay, oyster shell, almond, and a touch of kimchi. On the palate, searing salinity that lingers long after the last sip, paired with juicy quince, citrus zest, and delicate herbal spice.
Background: De La Riva is the brainchild of Willy Pérez and Ramiro Ibáñez—two winemakers shaking up the status quo in Jerez. They’re reviving historic vineyards and proving that Jerez isn’t just about Sherry, but also capable of producing world-class dry whites. The San Cayetano vineyard is one of the region’s finest, and this wine showcases just how deep and complex Palomino Fino can be. Extremely rare, incredibly exciting—and absolutely one to watch.
Pictures: © The Art of Riesling – Maximilian Kaindl
