Liquorice, Spice, Red Berry

Rhein / Red / Pinot Noir / Organic

Notes on the Producer

They farm a total of 15ha of vines, scattered across 70 individual parcels inside the Tullinger Berg nature reserve, with species-rich forest above the vines, and wildflower meadows and fruit tree plantings close by too. Their very best sites sit on the the geological marvel that is the ‘Weiler Schlipf’ – a seam of limestone rising up out of the Baden landscape – provides the vines and fruit with taut minerality. Their vineyard is the southernmost in the whole of Germany and overlooks the old town of Basel. At every quality level, these are exceptional quality and value, especially when (inevitably) compared with their Burgundian counterparts. 

Sixth generation winemaker Johannes, aided by his brother Christoph has moved to a "less is more" approach in the last few years. In the cellar, oak management is restricted with minimal new oak, and a reduction of sulphur usage across the range too.  All fruit is exclusively handpicked, fermented without additions and aged sur lie in barrel, undisturbed for as long as possible, and never hurried for release, with no filtration at bottling either. Pierre Millemann consults.

As for farming, they have converted to organics, soon to be certified, with some principals of biodynamics too. The quality here is astounding, with the wines revealing an unrivalled class, depth and balance.