Gimmeldinger Biengarten Spätburgunder VDP Erste Lage 2021

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

Colour & Appearance

Deep, luminous cherry red with a brightening rim – a visual hint at the youthful vigour of this Pinot Noir.

Nose

Fascinatingly ambivalent between brightness and depth. Wild strawberries, sweet and sour cherries, mulberries and elderberries hide beneath a dark, floral veil. Beneath lie spicy nuances of clove, pepper and juniper, whilst earthy tones of forest floor, red earth and chalk reflect the tertiary calcareous marl structure of the terroir. Still restrained herbal spice hints at enormous ageing potential.

Palate

Silky on the attack, then an impressive acidity unfolds, driving powerfully forward. This tension between juiciness and austere, mineral elements creates an almost irresistible drinking flow. The fruit shows darker on the palate, merging with floral notes into a concentrated aroma stream. For all its elegance, the high astringency grips – a wine that masterfully unites structure and finesse.

Finish

Reminiscent of freshly broken branches – juicy-green and yet woody. Lightly smoky accents combine with abundant fruit and subtle herbal freshness into a long, multi-layered finale.

Terroir & Origin

The Gimmeldinger Biengarten (VDP Erste Lage) extends over steep terraces along the forest edge, sheltered in a gentle hollow. The tertiary calcareous marl lies on the same limestone reef as the Grand Crus Idig and Ölberg. Christmann’s 1.1 hectares with east/east-southeast exposure and 10% gradient harbour old vines from 1982 that bear loosely-clustered, concentrated grapes.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Harvest on 21 September 2021. Spontaneous fermentation with 10% whole bunches, maturation until February 2022 in barrique (10% new wood), bottling in May 2023. The biodynamic management since 2004 manifests itself in the crystal-clear terroir expression.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Celery steaks with parsley pesto and puffed spelt, warm salad of aubergines, tomatoes and pine nuts or tagliatelle with radicchio and lemon – the acidity structure calls for earthy, spicy vegetable dishes.

Special Characteristics

A prime example of Christmann’s philosophy: wines that taste of their vineyard and could not be made anywhere else. The tension between elegance and power, between restraint and depth makes this Spätburgunder a fascinating vineyard wine with considerable development potential.