Pi:not Mugler & Schumann unfiltriert 2022

A single-varietal Pinot Noir from Maikammer, vinified dry, at 12.5% ABV and bottled without filtration. The wine has substance yet remains light on its feet, favouring clarity over power.

The vines grow in the southern Palatinate around Maikammer, where the estate now farms roughly ten hectares. Limestone marl and variegated sandstone fundamentally shape the character of the wines. The Haardt mountains act as a shield against westerly winds, the climate carries Mediterranean traits, and the grapes ripen with a favourable temperature swing.

Pinot Noir, spontaneously fermented, aged for a long time on the lees and only minimally fined. Sulphur use is kept low, and filtration is dispensed with entirely so the texture and dynamism of the harvest are preserved. Steffen and Daniela Mugler have run the Manfred Schädler estate since 2002 and have converted the vineyards to biodynamic farming; the estate does not pursue certification.

In the glass, a bright, translucent ruby red. The nose shows tart morello cherries, cranberries and wild berries, alongside dried herbs, a woodland spice and an earthy note. The palate stays slender, the tannin is fine-grained, and the acidity carries the whole. The finish brings lingonberries, cool minerality and an invigorating grip.

Well suited to pink-roasted duck breast, a mushroom tart or braised rabbit with thyme, as well as to veal ragout and sautéed wild mushrooms.

The unfiltered bottling preserves the wine's texture. The estate arose from the union of two winegrowing families in Maikammer; the label and presentation stay understated, with all the effort going into the wine itself.