2017 Weingut Ziereisen Tschuppen Blauer Spatburgunder Baden, Germany

Winemaker Notes
Very finely interwoven cherry aromas. Fresh and fine on the palate with ripe tannins. Long-lasting elegance. Aging potential for at least ten years.
Cool climate Pinot Noir from "Tschuppen", a site at the top of a hill featuring loess over loam soils and younger vines. After an initial selection in the vineyard, grapes are sorted again in the cellar. Fruit is 70% de-stemmed for this wine and fermentation is spontaneous in stainless steel with maceration taking place for 6 weeks on skins. Aged for 2 years in large oak fuder (1200–3000L), then bottled unfiltered. Ziereisen is located in the very southern part of Baden in a town called Efringen-Kirchen, directly on the Rhine river at the border of Alsace and Switzerland. Here, Hanspeter and his wife Edel produce outstanding Pinot noir and Chasselas - as well as a bit of Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Blanc. Efringen-Kirchen’s climactic conditions, coupled with limestone soils, correspond to the conditions of Burgundy (the average temperature of 52°F is similar to Burgundy). Chemical fertilizers and sprays are strictly avoided in the vineyard. The oak at the domaine comes from the Assmann Büttnerei, a family-run cooperage Franken region. Medium bodied and quite earthy, with cherries and cranberries mingling with damp soil, herbs, and spice.