2021 Marto Pinot Noir

WINEMAKER: Martin Wörner
REGION: Rheinhessen, GER
VARIETY: Pinot Noir
VITICULTURE: Organic

Unlike previous vintages of the Al Dente, where the Pinot Noir side of it was characterized by more robust tannins, this vintage is the complete opposite and vilified with just the Pinot Noir grapes. Silky smooth with light tannins despite having had 3 weeks on the skins. High drinkability, not such a “big wine”, it’s on the lighter side and to me encapsulates the energy of an Auvergneian Pinot Noir. Tastes like strawberries, raspberries, light fruit, and high tones. changing every 100 meters or so soils range from limestone, sandstone, silt, and clay through to volcanic rock.

Martin comes from an agriculture background, his grandfather was a pioneer—a grape grower that was one of the first in their village of Flonheim to bottle wine under his own banner rather than selling the grapes to the co-op. Martin’s father did not have much interest in the vineyards, making his livelihood instead farming strawberries. The family continued to maintain the vineyards, but until Martin took over in 2015, all the fruit was sold to the co-op.

Martin sought out experience from some of the best producers. In 2015 he worked at Gut Oggau with Eduard and Stephanie Tscheppe and in 2016 at Matassa with Tom Lubbe. His time with Tom was to be the most influential, and he still seeks his guidance when needed (Tom also gifted him two old demi-muds for his first harvest).