2020 Wasenhaus Spätburgunder Landwein

WINEMAKER: Christoph Wolber & Alexander Götze
REGION: Baden, GER
VARIETAL: Pinot Noir
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic 

In the open fermentation stand, natural yeasts conjure up something fine with a lot of freshness and filigree from the destemmed mash and 20% whole grapes. 2020 is proving to be strong and the differences between the individual locations are becoming even more apparent than before. The nose full of ripe, red berries is intense and impressive. First and foremost currants, which almost sensually turn a romantic round with the herbaceous spice in the Ferris wheel of aromas. The young wine matures in used barriques from Burgundy (228 liters). The result is the best Pinot from Germany, but anything but German Pinot Noir. All the experience gained in France clearly comes into play here. 

Weingut Wasenhaus is located in Baden, Germany. Christoph Wolber and Alexander Götze met in Burgundy during their wine studies at the local school in Beaune. At the same time, they were both working full time in some of the largest biodynamic estates in Burgundy such as those of Pierre Morey, Leflaive, Comte Armand... Shortly after becoming roommates, they worked out the plan to return in Germany and set up their cellar in Baden. In Christoph’s home region, they looked for suitable plots and selected them carefully: one on the slopes of the Ehrenstettener Oelberg, and the other in the Ehrenkirchener Kirchberg. In recent years, they have bought several plots, some with very old vines. They grow their grapes, but also buy grapes from friends’ companies with a similar philosophy that are used in the production of Gutedel. Their first vintage came out in 2016 and it was a great success. Christoph and Alexander perform gentle extractions, with very little punching down during fermentation, and occasionally stirring to ensure healthy fermentation from the start. Sulfur is used judiciously and is only applied after the malolactic fermentation. The wines are all aged in oak barrels.