Rudolf Fürst Centgrafenberg Pinot Blanc dry dry 2015

Rudolf Fürst - Centgrafenberg Pinot Blanc dry 2015

Summary

The 2015 Centgrafenberg Weissburgunder trocken from the Rudolf Fürst winery in Bürgstadt (Franconia) is a high-quality white wine from the VDP.GROSSEN LAGE® Centgrafenberg. The wine, which isnow marketedas Weisser Burgunder R, received 92 points from Falstaff in 2017 and is rated 94 points by James Suckling and Robert Parker. It is characterised by a clear, mineral structure with aromas of caramelised apricot, almonds and citrus oil.

1. The winery: Rudolf Fürst

The Rudolf Fürst winery is located in Bürgstadt, in the heart of the Franconian wine-growing region of Churfranken, and looks back on over 380 years of family tradition, which is documented as far back as 1638. The business has been run by Paul and Monika Fürst since 1979 and is now largely characterised by their son Sebastian Fürst.

The winery is known for its exceptional Pinot Noir wines, which are regularly ranked among the best in Germany by the international wine press. The white wines, especially the Burgundy varieties, are vinified according to the Burgundian model and have an excellent reputation.

2. The location: Centgrafenberg (VDP.GROSSE LAGE®)

The Centgrafenberg is the historic home of the Rudolf Fürst winery. This VDP.GROSSE LAGE® is considered the heart of the Bürgstadt hill and is characterised by red, iron-rich red sandstone soil from the Triassic period. The permeable, shallow and rapidly warming soils give the wines a "cool strength, iron minerality, elegance and finesse".

The Centgrafenberg is traditionally a Pinot Noir site, but outstanding Rieslings and Pinot Blancs are now also cultivated here. The plots for Pinot Blanc are located in the eastern, richer part of the mountain, sheltered in a basin that offers a mild, warm microclimate.

3. The 2015 vintage in Franconia

The 2015 vintage in Franconia was characterised by a very warm and dry summer, which produced early and physiologically very ripe grapes. In a Germany-wide comparison, 2015 was an outstanding vintage, albeit not quite as legendary as 2018 or 2019. The 2015 Pinot Blanc wines from Franconia were powerful, with good structure and ripe acidity. Falstaff ranks the 2015 Rudolf Fürst among the best Pinot Blancs of the vintage in Franconia.

4. The wine: Centgrafenberg Weissburgunder dry 2015 ("Weisser Burgunder R")

4.1 General information and ageing

This wine is a dry Pinot Blanc of the highest estate quality. The grapes are sourced exclusively from the VDP.GROSSEN LAGE® Centgrafenberg parcels. The wine is vinified in the Burgundian style: after harvesting, the grapes are lightly crushed with the feet. The must ferments in small oak barrels (barriques) and the wine matures for at least 16 months on the lees.

4.2. sensory description (tasting notes)

• Ratings: The wine was awarded92 Falstaff points in the 2017 Falstaff Wine Guide Germany . International critics such as James Suckling and Robert Parker award 94 points.

• Falstaff tasting note (27 November 2017):

  • Nose: "Caramelised apricot, almonds, cedar wood and citrus oil."

  • Palate: "Firm, multi-layered and complex on the palate. The fruit is finely balanced with extract and perfect acidity. The wood is tart, well integrated and provides structure and tannin for a long life. Mineral and vertical."

• Community Tasting Note (CellarTracker):

  • A private tasting note describes the wine as interesting after two hours of aeration, with a slight cheesiness and oiliness and a creamy texture reminiscent of Pinot Blanc. It is certified as "good quality".

5. Drinking maturity and ageing

The 2015 Pinot Blanc Centgrafenberg is currently at a very good drinking maturity stage. The combination of ripe fruit, integrated wood notes and lively acidity gives it a long ageing potential. The winery itself emphasises the "long ageing potential of its wines" in general. The wine can easily remain in the cellar for a few more years, but is already showing its complex structure.

6. Market presence and price

The original price range was given by Falstaff as €20 - €50. Due to its success and increased demand, the current market price for this wine is higher, depending on the retailer and availability:

• Mövenpick wine (2021 vintage as reference): €55.00 per 0.75 litre bottle.

• Vinello (current price for Weisser Burgunder R): approx. 68.58 € per bottle.

• Weinfurore: Regular price 134,00 €, currently reduced to 120,60 € (equivalent to 26,80 €/l).

• PicClick (second-hand market): One bottle was offered for 29,00 €.

• Weingut Rudolf Fürst (reference for Weisser Burgunder R of more recent vintages): approx. 32.00 € per bottle.