Ziereisen Spatburgunder [Pinot Noir] “Schulen” 2020 750ml

Ziereisen’s 2020 (Pinot Noir) Schulen exhibits an intense but lively dark ruby color that speaks to the unfiltered bottling of the wine that was aged in small oak barrels for a bit more than 1.5 years. The wine shows a noble, deep, pure and refreshing bouquet of dark, ripe and intensely flavored fruit (dark cherries, Schwarzwälder Kirsch) intermingled with spicy-peppery as well as chalky notes (Jurassic limestone). On the palate, this is a silky, intense and balanced, full-bodied and juicy red with remarkably fine tannins, stunning mineral and energetic vibrancy and fine salinity on the long and intense finish that represents the warmth and generosity of the vintage. This is the most impressive Schulen I have had from this domaine, and I have missed only a very few vintages since the start in the 1990s. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork stopper (Amorim). Tasted in November 2022.

• Country: Germany
• Region: Baden
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red

Varietal

Pinot Noir

Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world’s most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means ‘black pine’ in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.