Höllenberg Spätburgunder GG - Weingut Künstler

The Höllenberg Spätburgunder GG – Weingut Künstler presents itself in the glass in bright ruby red with a delicate shimmer of garnet-red reflections. Even at the first swirl, a fine aroma rises from the Burgundy glass. Dark cherry, juicy blackberry and a hint of ripe wild berries form the core of the bouquet. Noble herbs such as thyme and a touch of juniper berry join in, reminiscent of a cool walk through the forest.

On the nose, a seductive play of fruit and spice unfolds step by step. Alongside black cherry and blackberry, notes of cranberry, dried raspberry and a hint of rosehip appear. Fine nuances of violet and dried rose lend the wine floral elegance. A subtle streak of smoke and a touch of black pepper indicate aging in large wooden casks without masking the variety.

On the palate, Höllenberg Spätburgunder GG – Weingut Künstler shows a velvety texture with classic Burgundian charm. The fruit appears clear and precise, with cherry and blackberry at the forefront. In the background, nuances of sour cherry, currant and a hint of ripe plum emerge. Fine, perfectly matured tannins lie on the tongue like velvet, giving the wine structure without hardness.

The acidity is lively and well integrated. It carries the juicy fruit, lends freshness and keeps the wine remarkably drinkable. The body is medium to powerful, yet always elegant and straight. On the finish, notes of cherry, dried herbs, a hint of juniper and a touch of cedarwood linger. The aftertaste is medium-long, fine and precise, with a hint of mineral spice from the slate and quartzite of the Höllenberg.

The Assmannshausen Höllenberg site in the Rheingau is one of the great German Pinot Noir terroirs. Steep, heat-retaining slopes high above the Rhine, meagre soils with slate, quartzite and a little loess, plus the reflective light of the river. This interplay produces Pinot Noir with clear fruit, fine spice and remarkable finesse. In this environment, the variety shows its full potential, from the bouquet to the deep, complex finale.

Pinot Noir as a noble grape variety stands for elegance, delicacy and fine tannin structure. In the Rheingau, especially on the Höllenberg, this is joined by a distinctive, cool herbal spice and a fine, stony minerality. Aging in large wooden casks enhances these characteristics without overpowering them. The result is a classically styled red wine that unites clear fruit, subtle spice and a certain tension.

The aromas of this Großes Gewächs are multi-layered. A brief overview makes the style more tangible:

• Red fruit: cherry, sour cherry, rosehip
• Dark fruit: blackberry, wild berries, a touch of plum
• Spice and herbs: thyme, juniper berry, black pepper
• Oak notes: fine smoky wood, delicate vanilla, a hint of cedarwood
• Terroir: cool herbal spice, mineral nuances from slate

On the palate, the wine appears structured yet wonderfully approachable. The tannins feel velvety and ripe, without any bitterness. The fruit remains refreshing but never intrusive. A hint of cocoa, a little tobacco and some black tea flash up over the course of the tasting and raise the sophistication of this Großes Gewächs. The result is a characterful wine with depth that offers high-level enjoyment.

Höllenberg Spätburgunder GG – Weingut Künstler is suitable for connoisseurs who appreciate finely tuned, classically matured Pinot Noir. It accompanies sociable evenings, sophisticated menus and intimate moments of pleasure. It also impresses as a gift, with its origin from a VDP.Grosse Lage and its high rating of 96 points from James Suckling.

1. Intense, clear cherry and blackberry fruit
2. Velvety tannins with elegant structure
3. Fine herbal spice and juniper note
4. Subtle use of oak with smoke, cedarwood and vanilla
5. Origin from the legendary Assmannshausen Höllenberg site

These characteristics make this Pinot Noir an expressive VDP.Grosses Gewächs that already gives great pleasure and will also mature stylishly for years.

Production of Höllenberg Spätburgunder GG from Weingut Künstler

The grapes for this VDP.Grosse Lage wine come from the historic Assmannshausen Höllenberg site in the Rheingau. The steep slopes above the Rhine benefit from ideal sunshine and the reflective water. The vines grow on stony, well-drained soils of slate and quartzite with streaks of loess. These soils store warmth during the day but cool down quickly at night. This allows the grapes to ripen slowly and develop concentrated aromas with appealing freshness.

Pinot Noir demands precision in the vineyard. At Weingut Künstler, yields are consistently reduced so that each grape can achieve optimal ripeness. Several passes through the vineyards allow strict selection. Only fully ripe, aromatically dense grapes are harvested. The harvest date is chosen so that freshness, structure and aromatic depth meet in harmony.

The grapes are carefully hand-picked into small bins. This keeps the harvested fruit intact. Further sorting takes place in the cellar so that only the best berries go into fermentation. A brief cold maceration before fermentation draws delicate colour and aromatic substances from the skins. This enhances the later density on the palate without making the tannins seem too firm.

Fermentation takes place under temperature control to preserve the fine fruit aromas. Fermentation on the skins allows targeted extraction. The must takes on colour, tannin and spice from the grape skins. Gentle punch-downs of the cap and careful pump-overs promote an elegant, velvety tannin structure instead of coarse phenolics.

After fermentation, the young wine flows into large wooden casks. Aging in large casks is ideal for Pinot Noir of this type. The wood lends structure, some vanilla, a subtle smokiness and a hint of cedarwood. At the same time, the clear cherry and berry fruit remain at the centre. On the fine lees, the wine continues to mature, gaining depth and creaminess without losing its freshness.

During maturation in cask, the wine slowly clarifies in a natural way. Time replaces hasty intervention. The structure stabilises, aromas weave together, the tannins round out. Only when fruit, spice, oak and terroir are in perfect balance is the wine bottled. The classification as VDP.Grosses Gewächs underlines the producer’s high quality standards.

Serving recommendations for Höllenberg Spätburgunder GG from Weingut Künstler

This Pinot Noir pairs excellently with dark, flavourful dishes. The juicy cherry fruit and polished tannins harmonise particularly well with beef or lamb dishes. A pink roasted rack of lamb with herb crust, a tender beef fillet with pepper sauce or a braised veal cheek stew form a noble dialogue with this wine.

Cuisine with pronounced seasoning also suits this Großes Gewächs perfectly. Braised ox cheeks with root vegetables, game dishes such as saddle of venison with juniper jus or venison ragout with cranberries find an ideal partner in this Pinot Noir. The juniper and herbal notes in the wine elegantly echo the aromas of the dishes.

For fans of vegetarian cuisine, a risotto with porcini or chanterelles is an excellent choice. Fried king oyster mushrooms, oven-roasted vegetables with rosemary or a potato gratin with matured mountain cheese are also a great match. Mature but not overly strong cheeses such as Comté, Gruyère or a mild mountain cheese underline the fine spice of the wine.

As a food companion while cooking with friends, Höllenberg Spätburgunder GG provides a stylish red thread throughout the evening. It pairs well from an autumnal tapas spread with air-dried ham, terrines and pâtés to a main course of dark meat or mushroom dishes. Even without food, it shines as a meditative fireside wine that reveals its fine layers in peace.

For optimal enjoyment, a serving temperature of about 15 to 17 degrees Celsius is recommended. Gentle aeration in a decanter for about half an hour before serving opens up the aromas. Served in a large, bowl-shaped Burgundy glass, the wine unfolds its full bouquet and elegance.

In the first years after bottling, the wine shows its fresh red and dark fruit particularly clearly. With further bottle age, additional notes of undergrowth, leather, fine tobacco and dried herbs develop. A cellaring time of up to eight years from the vintage is suitable for experiencing the different stages of development of this Großes Gewächs.

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