Lukas Hammelmann, Spatburgunder Roter Berg 2022

Place: Pfalz, Germany

Grape: Pinot Noir

Vibe: Classic, lighter

Could be one of the better wines I've tasted in recent memory. And yes, this is Spätburgunder. Long gone are the days when Germany's attempts at Pinot would be laughed out of a line-up of Burgundy. We're at the very pinnacle of wine here. Seriously, it's that good.

Facing north and harvested relatively early, 60% of the fruit is de-stemmed and fermented in wood for 14 days. Things then move to barriques for another two years of élevage.
Light bodied and delicate but with so much going for it. Mineral driven and stony, with a whiff of gunpowder. The fruit is juicy and bright, and there's really beautiful use of barrel adding baking spice without overpowering the purity of fruit. Over in France you're easily paying double for this quality. Das ist gut!