Schlossberg Achkarren Spätburgunder GG 2021

Wine Description for Schlossberg Achkarren Spätburgunder GG 2021 by Franz Keller

Colour & Appearance

Luminous cherry red with delicate violet reflections and a pale, transparent rim – Burgundian in every respect.

Nose

Dark, complex and of unusual depth. Blackcurrant, blackberry and raspberry meet a pronounced sour cherry. Subtle accents of juniper and black pepper frame the fruit profile. Floral notes of hibiscus, violet and pansy lend the wine elegance, whilst a shy hazelnut spice unfolds in the background.

Palate

Dense and compact, yet threaded through with a silky, cool filigree that recalls the great vineyard sites of the Côte de Nuits. The dark fruit unfolds with conviction, embedded in a fine-meshed, delicate tannin. Spicy notes of white pepper and fennel seed give the wine a mineral, earth-bound tension.

Finish

Long, sustained and enduring. The tannin coats the palate for minutes – precise and immovable. A wine that demands time and rewards it.

Terroir & Origin

The Schlossberg in Achkarren ranks among Baden’s most significant VDP Grand Cru vineyard sites. The wind-protected core lies extremely steep; the heat accumulation is a defining characteristic of this historic vineyard. Ancient vines on volcanic black soil, secured through Sélection Massale, and a dry stone wall up to four metres high spanning 150 metres in length make this terroir a preserved piece of cultural heritage.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Spätburgunder, aged in barrique for 18 months – of which 35% new wood. A proportion that lends the wine structure without masking its origin. As in Burgundy, the principle holds: the grape variety needs no label. Here, the terroir speaks.

Food Pairing Recommendations

A great Spätburgunder demands substance: sauerbraten with potato dumplings and red cabbage is the classic reference. Equally convincing: grilled Wagyu flank steak with broad beans and herb oil. For those preferring vegetarian fare, white cabbage braised in the oven with hazelnut butter and breadcrumbs makes an equally worthy partner.

Special Features

The story behind this wine is as extraordinary as the wine itself: Franz Keller was only able to save the ancient vines of the Schlossberg because Fritz Keller could prove descent from a grandmother from Achkarren – because „Achkarren folk don’t sell to Oberbergen“. A wine with soul, character and depth.