Pinot Noir Clos de la Faille 2015 – Domaine Albert Mann

Christina Hilker

The monopollage of 1 ha is located near the Grand Cru Hengst, it is the only Clos in Alsace planted with 100 % Pinot Noir.

It is divided into three sections. The upper part consists of pink Vosges sandstone, mottled sandstone and calcareous sandstone. In the middle, there is grey shell limestone with a very fine grain and yellow Jura rock, and in the lower part, a mixture of Vosges sandstone and white and pink quartz. The vines were planted between 1998 and 2002.

Ruby red, light brown reflections

In the first moment, one inevitably thinks of autumn, which follows the last warm days of the year. Juniper and a little clove, but above all damp forest soil, tree bark and wet leaves make the beginning. Black truffle and memories of Piedmont beckon in the background. Wild sour cherry and plum circulate the nose as well as an iron to blood nuance. In a blind tasting, one would locate the wine at the Côte der Nuits.

A great Pinot on the palate. So insanely juicy, yet dark and cool underneath. An outstanding minerality is carried by a fine acid structure. A fine-grained tannin settles in the mouth and promises great storage potential. The bloody nuance goes over into the meaty. Discreetly animal. Enormously ferruginous. The associations to spices and forest are updated again. Also the red and blue fruits point out acidly and precisely.