Winemaker Notes
Typical of a wine from this terroir is the smoky and spicy aroma created by the shell limestone soil. On the nose, the old Pinot Blanc vines bring out the mellowness and a fruitiness reminiscent of ripe pears and lemon peel, complemented by a touch of flint. On the palate, it is very concentrated and ripe, leaving a round, silky impression. The interplay of minerality and grape ripeness is evident in the distinctly salty, mineral style that gives the wine a very long finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Enveloping stone fruit aromas that span the entire range of these fruits, but there are also hints of mint and shiso leaf. Very concentrated and very precise, this has a staggering zesty freshness on the palate that grows in intensity as the delicate chalky minerality enters the arena at the spectacular finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Respekt certification. Drink or hold.
Approachable, aromatic and pleasantly plush on the palate, Pinot Blanc is a white grape variety most associated with the Alsace region of France. Although its heritage is Burgundian, today it is rarely found there and instead thrives throughout central Europe, namely Germany and Austria, where it is known as Weissburgunder and Alto Adige where it is called Pinot Bianco. Interestingly, Pinot Blanc was born out of a mutation of the pink-skinned Pinot Gris. Somm Secret—Chardonnay fans looking to try something new would benefit from giving Pinot Blanc a try.
This sunny and relatively dry region served for many years as a German tourist mecca and was associated with low cost, cheerful wines. But since the 1980s, it has gained a reputation as one of Germany’s more innovative regions, which has led to increased international demand.