Description
The fame of German riesling-based white wines overshadows the (limited) production of red wines, which deserve more attention. Vineyards are mainly developed in the south-western part of the country and red grape varieties are concentrated in the southernmost regions of this area, such as the Palatinate and Baden.
Here, the pinot noir, called spätburgunder, has acclimatised very well and produces both light, fruity wines and more complex cuvées, matured in oak barrels in the style of Burgundy wines. Daniel Twardowsky's Pinot Noix is a still red wine produced in Moselle. It is a ready-made wine, but needs a few months' rest in the bottle to express its potential.
Organoleptic characteristics:
Intense ruby red with garnet hues. Broadly expressive on the nose, offering notes of black berries, tobacco, black cherry, cocoa, thyme and bark.
Hints of plums, tea, blackberries, pepper, chocolate and graphite, coffee emerge on the palate. The sip is full, fresh, balanced. Satisfying finish.
Storage time:
2-10 years
Vinification
All grapes are selected by hand, looking only for perfectly healthy bunches. There are no pumps or filters in the cellar and everything moves by gravity. Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts, in open vats, and the wines then spend 17-18 months in barriques. The barrels are mostly at least second use, many come from Margaux, Rousseau and DRC. The 25-50% barrels for the Ardoise are new, while the Hofberg Reserve is aged in 50% new oak.
Acknowledgements
FALSTAFF 2017 93/100
FALSTAFF 2014 93/100
