NO RESERVE PRICE - A highly sought-after archival wine from the renowned Franz Künstler winery. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a bottle of the 1997 Weingut Franz Künstler Hochheim Domdechaney Riesling, a dry style (Qualitätswein). This is a No Reserve price auction, so the highest bid will win this exceptional bottle. The Winemaker: Weingut Franz Künstler is a legendary name in the German wine world. Located in the Rheingau region, the estate has a rich history dating back to 1648. The winery is known for its uncompromising commitment to quality, a legacy continued by Gunter Künstler, who took over from his father Franz in 1988. Gunter is a widely respected figure, known for his masterful Rieslings and Spätburgunders (Pinot Noir) that showcase the unique terroir of Hochheim. Awards and Recognition: Weingut Franz Künstler is a founding member of the prestigious Verband Deutscher Prädikats- und Qualitätsweingüter (VDP), the association of Germany's top wine estates. The VDP's strict quality standards, which go far beyond German wine law, are a guarantee of excellence. The VDP's classification system, based on the principle of terroir, classifies vineyards into Grosse Lage (Grand Cru), Erste Lage (Premier Cru), and Ortswein (Village Wine). The Hochheim Domdechaney vineyard, from which this wine hails, is a celebrated Grosse Lage site, known for its deep, chalky marl soils that produce wines of incredible depth and longevity. The Vintage and Vineyard: The 1997 vintage in the Rheingau was highly regarded for producing elegant, well-balanced wines with excellent aging potential. This wine comes from the Hochheim Domdechaney vineyard, a prime location that has been a source of exceptional wines for centuries. The vineyard's name literally translates to "Dom's Deanery," referencing its historical ownership by the cathedral chapter of Mainz. The wines from this site are known for their powerful structure, pronounced minerality, and the classic Hochheim fruit profile of peaches and apricots, which develop into complex honeyed and petrol notes with age. Tasting Notes and Cellar Condition: This wine is a testament to the aging potential of top German Riesling. While no specific tasting notes are available without opening the bottle, aged dry Rieslings from a vintage like 1997 and a vineyard of this caliber typically show a beautiful golden color and a complex bouquet of dried apricot, honey, petrol, and toasted nuts. On the palate, they maintain a surprising freshness with a long, mineral-driven finish. The bottle is in excellent cellar condition, with a perfect fill level and a well-preserved capsule. This is a true collector's item and a fantastic opportunity to own a piece of German winemaking history from a top VDP producer. Don't miss the chance to add this rare gem to your cellar.