Weingut Keller - Dalsheimer Bürgel Pinot Noir GG Grosses Gewächs dry 2021

Weingut Keller Dalsheimer Bürgel Pinot Noir GG Grosses Gewächs dry 2021.

This wine is an outstanding Pinot Noir (Pinot Noir) that is one of the best in Germany. It demonstrates the high art of the winery to produce a world-class red wine from a great vineyard with great finesse and character.

1. The Keller Winery

The Keller wineryis one of the most renowned addresses in Germany. It was founded in 1789 by Johann Leonhard Keller and is located in Flörsheim-Dalsheim in the Rheinhessen region.Under the management of Klaus Peter Keller, who took over the winery in 2000, a new era began that catapulted it to the top of the international wine scene.

Inspired by his stays in Burgundy, Klaus Peter Keller pursues a philosophy of craftsmanship that emphasises minimal yields, perfect grape health and precise, gentle vinification. The aim is to maximise the transparency of the respective terroir in the wine. Keller's Pinot Noirs are often compared to the great wines of Burgundy.

2. The vineyard: Dalsheimer Bürgel

Dalsheimer Bürgel is a historic vineyard that was first mentioned in 1286. Today it is classified as a VDP.GROSSE LAGE - the highest rating for vineyards in Germany, comparable to a Grand Cru in Burgundy.

• Soil & climate: The Bürgel is known for its calcareous soil. This consists of a mixture of loess, marl and marine limestone, which provides good drainage and aeration.These calcareous soils are ideal for growing Pinot Noir, as they give the wine a unique minerality and lively acidity.The site is south to south-east facing and lies at an altitude of between 150 and 180 metres, which ensures optimal sunlight exposure.

• Vineyard area: The vineyards cover an area of around 13.67 hectares, with Weingut Keller being one of the main growers. Pinot Noir is mainly cultivated here.

3. The wine and its production

The 2021 Bürgel Spätburgunder GG is a pure varietal wine made from 100% Pinot Noir.
The harvest took place at the end of September.A special feature is the fermentation with around 50% whole grapes (whole grapes or "raisins"), which provides additional complexity and structure. The wine was matured in traditional large wooden barrels (foudres) made from old wood, with indigenous yeasts and long maceration and lees ageing. The wine was bottled unfiltered in May.

4. Tasting note

Despite its youth, the 2021 is already very accessible, but shows enormous potential. The tasting notes paint a picture of an extremely elegant and profound Pinot Noir.

• Colour: Deep, concentrated ruby red with violet reflections.

• Nose: Very aromatic, fine and elegant. Notes of ripe red fruit such as sour cherries, wild strawberries and rosehip mingle with complex nuances of mocha, blue cheese ("Stilton"), fine spice (juniper) and a subtle hint of smoke and graphite. A slight yeast note after bottling adds complexity.

• Palate: Juicy, silky and elegant. The fruit is clear and lively, caressed by a fine, silky tannin and a refreshing, mineral acidity. In comparison to other Pinot Noirs, it is less dense and powerful, but instead impresses with its finesse, lightness and drinkable flow ("drinking pleasure"). The finish is dense and persistent, with notes of nougat and mocha.

• Overall verdict: A superb, complex Pinot Noir that perfectly reflects the signature of its creator and the purity of the Bürgel terroir. It combines the drinking pleasure of a young wine with the ageing potential of a Grosses Gewächs.

5. Reviews and ratings

The wine is highly praised by the specialised press. The collected ratings can be summarised as follows:

• Robert Parker (The Wine Advocate): 94/100 points. The aromatic, fine nose with notes of mocha and Stilton cheese as well as the juicy, silky palate with fine spice and a dense finish are praised.

• Wine community (CellarTracker): The wine receives very good average ratings. One user describes the nose as "elevated" with aromas of cherry, violets, peppercorns and an "ethereal" lightness. The palate is "full-bodied" with an "exceptional persistence". Another user summarises it as having a "fine nose and flavour, well-balanced acidity and tannins".

• Wine connoisseur: Very enthusiastic about the "finesse, elegance, lightness and freshness", emphasising the aromas of wild strawberry, juniper and the "silky" texture. The wine is already wonderful to drink.

The following table summarises the most important ratings and retail prices.

6. Drinking recommendation and serving suggestion

• Drinking maturity: The wine is already impressive now, but has a cellaring potential of at least 10 years or more. It can be drunk young, but will show more complexity after a few hours in the decanter and over the coming years. The community recommends decanting it 1-2 hours before drinking.

• Serving temperature: 15-16 °C.

• Food: The wine experts recommend this Pinot Noir with "meaty and oily fish" as well as poultry, veal and mushroom dishes.

To summarise, the Weingut Keller Dalsheimer Bürgel Spätburgunder GG Grosses Gewächs trocken 2021is a fascinating wine. It represents the high level of modern German Pinot Noir and is a prime example of elegance, terroir transparency and drinking pleasure - a world-class Pinot Noir that also fulfils high Burgundy standards.