Dernauer Hardtberg 2023

Wine description for Dernauer Hardtberg 2023 by Bertram-Baltes

Colour & Appearance

A transparent garnet red that announces the elegance and lightness of this Pinot Noir from the very first glance. The clarity bears witness to precise cellar work.

Nose

A fascinating duality characterises the bouquet: on one hand, delicate with roses, violets and herbs, accompanied by sweet cherries, sour cherries and hints of undergrowth and leaf litter. On the other hand, a reductive side emerges with gunpowder, petrichor and blackcurrant – a wine that needs time to fully open up.

Palate

Remarkably juicy and of striking clarity. The wine follows a straight line without flourishes: sweet and sour cherries, red berries and plums meet a brilliant acidity and fine-grained tannins. At just 11% alcohol, this Pinot Noir displays refreshing vibrancy and remarkable finesse – a wine that is still at the very beginning of its development.

Terroir & Origin

The Dernauer Hardtberg lies above Dernau with a southerly aspect at 160 to 260 metres elevation. The soils of slate and greywacke (a sandstone with feldspar content) as well as slope loam in the lower areas shape the mineral character of this wine.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Biodynamic viticulture according to permafrost culture criteria. Spontaneous fermentation in open stainless steel fermenters, maturation over two winters in used large and half-large oak casks. Consistently reductive maturation without chaptalization, only minimal sulphur addition before bottling – pure craftsmanship.

Food Pairing Recommendations

This elegant, light-footed Pinot Noir harmonises beautifully with roasted poultry, duck breast medium-rare, mushroom dishes or aged soft cheese. Also an exciting choice with salmon trout or tuna tataki.

Special Features

A Pinot Noir that proves at just 11% alcohol that great wines do not require power. The consistently natural working methods of Bertram-Baltes shine through in every sip – a wine of place and time that deserves patience.