Lemberger Herzstück 2023 from Weingut Roterfaden: A violet-hued, cool Blaufränkisch from Württemberg with just 11.5% alcohol, uniting sour cherry, graphite and wild herbs in a feather-light, mineral expression.
Bottler: Winery Roterfaden, Hagenrainstraße 37, 71665 Vaihingen an der Enz / Germany
In the glass
Colour
Dense violet-red with a black core.
Nose
Sour cherries, blueberries and plum compote meet dark chocolate, graphite and liquorice; above them hover a cool minerality and wild flowers.
Palate
Juicy and vibrant with remarkable lightness, full aromatic depth and a taut structure.
Character
Precise and clear with a rebellious freshness – a modern Lemberger of great drinkability and mineral tension.
Pairing
Hearty mushroom dishes, spiced lentil preparations or smoked ham.
Notes
Biodynamic cultivation (Demeter) on rare blue Muschelkalk limestone; spontaneously fermented and bottled unfiltered with minimal sulphur addition.
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
Dense violet-red, black at the core – a wine that promises concentration even in the glass.
Nose
Pure juiciness: sour cherries, blueberries and plum compote, accompanied by a touch of dark chocolate. Fine notes of graphite and liquorice lend definition, whilst cool minerality and the scent of wild flowers and herbs provide tension.
Palate
Just as lively as on the nose: juicy fruit, fine structure and remarkable lightness at only 11.5% abv. Despite the modest alcohol, it lacks neither depth nor presence – a Lemberger that favours elegance over power.
Finish
Clear and precise, with lingering fruit and a finely spiced aftertaste.
Terroir & origin
Roßwag in Württemberg: here lies a geological gem – blue Muschelkalk limestone, more commonly associated with the French Jura. The steep slopes with their ancient dry-stone walls and the elevated position with cool nights ensure precise acidity and mineral tension.
Grape variety & vinification
Blaufränkisch, known here by its Swabian name Lemberger. Olympia Samara and Hannes Hoffmann have been farming biodynamically since 2014 (Demeter-certified since 2018) across 3.5 hectares. In the cellar, a non-interventionist philosophy prevails: spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts, maturation in old wooden casks, unfiltered bottling and minimal sulphur addition.
Food recommendations
The vibrant fruit and moderate structure make this wine remarkably versatile: perfect with roast goose and red cabbage, saddle of lamb with a herb crust, hearty lentil stew or mature alpine cheese. Also an excellent choice alongside mushroom dishes and beef fillet.
Special characteristics
The “Herzstück” displays the assured clarity that Lemberger can achieve on this terroir. A wine of astonishing drinkability coupled with genuine complexity – the result of dedicated biodynamic viticulture and minimalist winemaking.
