Location and classification
The single vineyard Gau-Bickelheimer Bockshaut is located in Gau-Bickelheim in the Bingen area of the wine-growing region Rheinhessen. It belongs to the Großlage Kurfürstenstück and covers 121 hectares. The vineyards are situated at an altitude of 160 to 200 metres and face south and north.
Soils
Löss over pararendzina and marl over pelosol have been documented. The loess soil consists of calcareous material deposited as wind material during the Ice Ages and forms a deep, fertile loam with good plant-available water storage and good root penetration. The marl soil is a calcareous, clayey sediment of the Tertiary sea with a high proportion of source clay, strong lime content, limited water permeability and aeration, as well as difficult root penetration.
Wine style
Wines associated with loess and pararendzina are described with yellow-fruited aromas as well as notes of apple, peach, pear and citrus. They show a slender, refreshing structure, mild acidity and a medium body. Wines from marl and pelosol are characterised as full-bodied, dense and rich, with moderate acidity and a creamy texture; described are ripe aromas of mango, apricot and honeydew melon.
Name and history
The site name is documented for 1527 as “uff der bockshewde” and for 1713 as “auff der bockßkauth”. A published possible interpretation derives it from the size of a plot referred to as a Bockshaus, or from a landowner’s name in connection with “Kaut”, a soil depression.
