Mussbacher Eselshaut Spätburgunder VDP Erste Lage 2021 1500ml Magnum

A slender, focused Pinot Noir with a silky texture and a cool tone. Steffen and Sophie Christmann vinify it dry, without heavy oak influence, at a moderate 13.0% ABV. In magnum format the wine matures more slowly than in a standard bottle, which benefits it over the years.

The Mussbacher Eselshaut is classified as a VDP.ERSTE LAGE. The A. Christmann estate in Gimmeldingen has existed since 1798 and, following the 2021 reduction in vineyard area, now farms 17 hectares, all classified sites. The estate has worked organically since 2002 and biodynamically since 2003, certified by respekt-BIODYN and EU organic standards. Horn manure, horn silica and compost preparations replace synthetic chemistry, and work follows the lunar calendar. As a result, the vines root more deeply and the vineyards have found their balance.

100 percent Pinot Noir. In the cellar the guiding principle is "less is more": the wine stays dry, taut and free of opulence. The Christmann estate grows only Riesling, Pinot Noir and a little Pinot Blanc, with Riesling accounting for around 70 percent of the area.

On the nose, juicy morello cherry, wild strawberry and a cool herbal spice. The palate shows finely knit acidity, subtle tannic grip and mineral freshness, while the fruit remains clearly defined.

With pan-seared duck breast, pink-roasted saddle of venison or squab. Equally good with mushroom-forward dishes such as porcini risotto and, served lightly chilled, with braised veal cheeks.

Magnum with 1500 ml. Steffen Christmann took over the estate in 1996 as the seventh generation and has been president of the VDP since 2007; his daughter Sophie joined in 2018 after Geisenheim and stints in Bordeaux and Australia.