Weingut am Schlipf Schneider Weil am Rhein Ortswein Spätburgunder 2023

Weingut am Schlipf Schneider farm at Weil am Rhein in the far south of Baden, Germany's warmest wine region, working organically. This is their VDP Ortswein, a village-classified Pinot Noir, known here as Spätburgunder, a variety that covers more ground in Germany than in most of the world and produces some of its finest examples. Baden sits in the Rhine valley with a relatively warm, sunny climate that ripens Pinot Noir fully, while the cooler nights and the region's varied soils preserve the acidity and aromatic detail that mark the grape. The wine is raised for eighteen months on its lees, the spent yeast left in contact with the wine: this slow lees ageing, through autolysis, releases compounds that add texture, savoury depth and a rounder mouthfeel while protecting the wine and keeping it fresh. The colour is medium ruby. The nose shows bright cherry and red berries, with an earthy, dried-herb undertone and a floral lift. The palate is medium bodied and fresh, with fine tannins, clear acidity and a savoury, lees-driven texture leading to a long finish. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees in a Burgundy glass. It pairs well with duck, roast chicken and mushroom dishes.