Jean Stodden Herrenberg Spätburgunder GG 2021

This relatively humble Grand Cru Pinot Noir from Germany is a rather exquisite wine. It’s not bullish, it exudes charm and elegance. Not cheap, but still worth the money for the experience. Fans of well-made Pinot will understand.

The wine has an archetypal dark berry aroma, complex, with some wood, nougat, spicy undertones. The palate has a lot of drive with very fine means, the mild tannin and creamy base exude a lot of charm. Good, homogeneous length.

Stodden has been a name in fine wine here since 1578, and is one of the region’s star producers, with current heir Alexander at the helm since 2001. Inspired by the Cotes de Nuits, they focus on making structured, age-worthy Pinots. With relatively traditional winemaking starting with old vines, with long macerations and skin contact, and smart use of barrel ageing (both large and small), theirs are Pinots that rival the world’s best. They’re best known for their site Recher Herrenberg, where south-facing slate slopes are home to ungrafted Pinot, leading to exceptional, collectible reds.