Spätburgunder Im Sonnenschein GG 2018

A Spätburgunder with a firm structure and cool herbal spice, in which the fruit never masks the limestone foundation. Vinified dry, 13.0% vol.

The VDP.Grosse Lage Im Sonnenschein forms the sun-facing side of Siebeldingen in the Queich valley, which runs from the Palatinate Forest into the Rhine valley and allows for south-facing slopes here. The vineyards lie at 160 to 225 metres above sea level, with gradients of 5 to 20 percent. The parcels in the Am Berg, Auf'm Berg and Stockwingert plots sit at the highest point and are the poorest and stoniest in the site. The soil is Triassic shell limestone, marine sediment laid down 220 million years ago and containing fossils. The vines on the south- and southwest-facing slope are up to 60 years old.

Pure Spätburgunder. Selective hand harvest, destemming, mash kept cool until spontaneous fermentation. Each fermentation vessel is monitored individually, and pressing often takes place after nearly three weeks. After natural settling of the coarsest lees, the wine spends 19 to 20 months in barrique, from various coopers in Austria and France using German and French oak. Malolactic fermentation proceeds spontaneously.

Wild raspberry, sour cherry and blackberry as on the nose, carried by fresh acidity and lively herbal notes. The tannin feels firm and refined at once, the finish staying earthy and mineral. Ready to drink now, with reserve for further ageing.

Gratin of beetroot, savoy cabbage and black walnuts, veal cushion with vegetable purée and fan-cut potatoes, or venison chop with kale and chestnut milk.

Hansjörg Rebholz farms 26 hectares in Siebeldingen biodynamically; Im Sonnenschein is a monopole site of the estate. The estate's use of French barriques dates back 30 years.