In the gently rolling hills of the Palatinate, where the Haardt Mountains merge into the Rhine plain, you will find one of the most remarkable interpretations of Pinot Noir in Germany. The Gimmeldinger Biengarten, a VDP-classified Erste Lage, epitomises the biodynamic ethos of the Christmann winery, which has been under the careful guidance of Steffen Christmann since 1996. This 2019 vintage is an eloquent testimony to how the Pinot Noir grape variety - affectionately known as Pinot Noir in Germany - can thrive in the expert hands of a winemaker who treats the terroir with almost religious devotion.<\/p>\n
In the glass, the wine presents a translucent ruby red colour with garnet reflections that bear witness to the medium depth of colour that is characteristic of fine Pinot Noirs. Its transparency indicates the careful extraction that Christmann favours - not over-extraction, but an elegance that emphasises the finesse of the grape variety.<\/p>\n
The bouquet unfolds with remarkable precision. At first there are delicate notes of wild strawberries and sour cherries with a hint of rosehip. With increasing aeration, subtle hints of damp forest soil, dried rose petals and a hint of Palatinate herbs emerge. Christmann's biodynamic approach manifests itself in the aromatic complexity that establishes a deep connection to the chalky soil of the Biengarten - that mineral signature that can only emerge here, in this specific parcel.<\/p>\n
On the palate, the wine reveals an impressive structure that is both powerful and delicate at the same time. The moderate alcohol strength of 13% gives it body without ever appearing ponderous. The acidity - lively but perfectly integrated - forms the backbone of this wine and gives it remarkable freshness and length. The tannins are silky, almost transparent in texture, yet present enough to give the wine structure. The fruit flavours of redcurrants and cherries are accompanied by a subtle spiciness, while the barely perceptible residual sweetness underlines the fruitiness without ever becoming overpowering. The finish is long, precise and characterised by a mineral tension that bears witness to the limestone character of the Biengarten.<\/p>\n
The 2019 vintage in the Palatinate was characterised by warm temperatures, which were balanced out by the cooling influences of the Haardt Mountains at night - ideal conditions for the maturation of this sophisticated Pinot Noir. Christmann<\/strong>which has been fully committed to biodynamic farming methods since 2004, utilises these natural conditions to produce wines that are an authentic reflection of their origins. The Erste Lage Biengarten, which is less well-known than the estate's larger vineyards such as Idig or Meerspinne im Mandelgarten, impressively demonstrates that it does not have to stand in the shadow of its more famous siblings.<\/p>\n Dieser Sp\u00e4tburgunder repr\u00e4sentiert die Philosophie Christmanns in ihrer reinsten Form: die Suche nach Weinen, die \u201cnirgendwo anders auf der Welt erzeugt werden k\u00f6nnten\u201d \u2013 eine Verbindung von Rebe, Boden und Winzerhandwerk, die in ihrer Individualit\u00e4t besticht. Er verk\u00f6rpert die besondere Spannung der Mittelhaardt: warm genug f\u00fcr strukturierte Weine, k\u00fchl genug f\u00fcr Eleganz und jene feine Mineralit\u00e4t, die gro\u00dfe Burgunder auszeichnet.<\/p>\n This subtle Pinot Noir requires an equally nuanced cuisine. It harmonises wonderfully with Roast duck breast with cherry sauce<\/strong>whose fruity sweetness emphasises the berry notes of the wine. Equally recommended is a combination with Braised rabbit in red wine sauce<\/strong> or Mushroom risotto with truffle<\/strong>whose earthy aromas emphasise the wine's terroir notes. A surprising but harmonious combination is also provided by Grilled salmon with chanterelles<\/strong> - proof of the remarkable versatility of this wine which, despite its complexity, never dominates the food but accompanies it in an elegant dialogue.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Food pairing suggestions<\/h3>\n
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