Rietsch Pinot Noir Stierkopf 2025

Domaine Rietsch is a small family winery in Mittelbergheim, founded in the 1970s and now working to the principles of natural winemaking. Stierkopf is a single-variety Pinot Noir from south-facing plots with an average vine age of around thirty years. The wine is fermented and aged for six months in stainless steel, with no oak, so the variety and its fruit stay clear and unmasked. Alsace lies in the rain shadow of the Vosges mountains, one of the drier and sunnier wine regions in France, which lets Pinot Noir ripen while the cool nights preserve its bright acidity and perfume. The young, reductive raising in steel keeps the wine fresh and primary. The colour is bright, light ruby. The nose is fragrant, with red cherry, raspberry and a floral note. The palate is light bodied and lively, the tannins fine and supple, the acidity fresh and the finish clean and red-fruited. Serve lightly chilled at around 14 degrees, which suits its light, young style. It works with roast duck, poultry, mushroom dishes and even baked salmon.