Gimmeldinger Biengarten Spätburgunder VDP Erste Lage 2021

Wine Description for Gimmeldinger Biengarten Spätburgunder VDP Erste Lage 2021 by Christmann

Colour & Appearance

Luminous, deep cherry red with a brightening, transparent rim – a first hint of the elegant complexity of this Spätburgunder.

Nose

The nose is of fascinating ambivalence: wild strawberry, sour cherry and mulberry meet ripe raspberry and elderberry. All this fruit still lies hidden beneath a dark, floral veil, behind which subtle spice unfolds – clove, juniper, allspice and white pepper whisper with restraint. Beneath: forest floor, red earth, a hint of chalk. A wine that does not yet reveal everything.

Palate

The entry is silky and delicate – but then a gripping, precise acidity takes the helm and propels the wine forward with irresistible drinkability. The astringency is palpable and lends structure and bite. The fruit shows itself darker on the palate than on the nose, merging with floral notes into a bundled, concentrated expression. Juicy and austere at once – a wine full of inner tension.

Finish

Long and penetrating. The finish recalls freshly broken green branches – juicy, slightly smoky, with fine herbal freshness and lingering fruit. The combination of smoky accents, vibrant fruit and mineral depth lingers on the palate for a long time.

Terroir & Origin

The Gimmeldinger Biengarten is a recognised VDP.Erste Lage – steeply terraced, sheltered from wind by a natural hollow, on the same tertiary limestone marl reef as the neighbouring Grand Crus Idig and Ölberg. The east to east-south exposure at 10% gradient ensures elegant, cool ripening. A terroir that bestows both depth and finesse.

Grape Variety & Vinification

The Spätburgunder vines were planted in 1982 and deliver loosely berried, small yields of the highest quality. Harvested on 21 September 2021, spontaneously fermented with 10% whole bunches. Maturation in barrique with 10% new wood until February 2022, bottling not until May 2023 – a wine vinified with time and patience.

Food Recommendations

The vibrant acidity and elegant structure make this Spätburgunder the ideal companion to vegetarian dishes with depth: celeriac steaks with parsley pesto and puffed spelt, a warm salad of aubergine, tomatoes and pine nuts or tagliatelle with radicchio and lemon.

Special Features

A wine that rewards patience. The Biengarten 2021 is still young and closed – yet the potential is unmistakable. Decanting recommended, or better still: wait a few years. A Spätburgunder that combines the signature of the Palatinate limestone terroir with Burgundian elegance.