Domaine Weinbach Pinot Noir’S Grand Cru Schlossberg 2019

Domaine Weinbach is one of Alsace's most respected estates, and this Grand Cru Schlossberg comes from Pinot Noir grown on the steep, south-facing granite terraces of the Schlossberg hill. Granite is poor and free draining, forcing the vines to root deep while the warm, sheltered Vosges foothills and a widening diurnal range let Pinot Noir reach full ripeness here in a way it could not a generation ago. The estate farms biodynamically, with low yields concentrating fruit and aroma. The wine is fermented with native yeasts and aged to settle its tannin, the granite lending lift and a fine mineral cut rather than weight. It pours a bright, deep ruby. The nose is layered, with wild cherry and red berry fruit over rose, dried herbs and black pepper. The palate is refined and vibrant, dry and full without heaviness, the tannins fine grained and the acidity keeping the spice and red fruit taut through a long, savoury, faintly smoky finish. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, ideally decanted for half an hour, in a wide Burgundy glass. It suits roast duck, guinea fowl and mushroom dishes.