J. Neus Ingelheim Spätburgunder Alte Reben 2022

J. Neus is a historic Rheinhessen estate founded in Ingelheim in 1881, a town with a long reputation for German Pinot Noir, or Spatburgunder. The winery is known for its reds and holds one of the largest vaulted cellars in the region, built at the end of the nineteenth century. This wine is pure Spatburgunder from old vines, whose age is central to its character: older roots reach deep, crop small and give more concentrated, complex fruit. The vineyards sit on limestone and marl soils that give German Pinot Noir its bright acidity and fine structure. The wine is aged for eighteen months in large old wooden casks of six hundred to twelve hundred litres, where the low ratio of wood surface to wine allows slow, gentle oxygen exchange that builds savoury complexity and softens tannin without adding obvious oak flavour. The result is a clear, medium ruby. The nose shows red cherry and berry fruit over earth, light spice and a touch of leather with age. The palate is medium bodied and structured, with fine tannin, fresh acidity and a long savoury finish. Serve at 15 to 17C in a large glass. Good with duck, game and roast meats.