Thörle Thörle Spätburgunder 2022 750ml

For an entry-level wine, this is astonishingly good. Very fragrant, with a wealth of black cherry and violet aromas plus delicate spice and savory notes. What beautiful balance this has on the structured yet silky medium-bodied palate. The notes of licorice and cloves add complexity to the very long, silky finish. Matured in used barriques. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold.

The 2022 Spätburgunder is from a mix of German and French genetics. Fully destemmed and fermented in open cuve, it matured for 18 months in used barrique. A touch of smoke wraps itself around aromatic wild cherry. Cool, smooth balance is immediately apparent on the palate—coolness, in fact, is the operative term, even in this warm year. Fully ripe tannins brush like starched velvet, rounded but really fine. The wild cherry aroma is beguiling and pure, while the freshness is pristine, pure and expressive. My oh my, this is quite a number for an estate Pinot Noir.<br/><br/>

The 2022 Spatsburgunder is from a mix of German and French genetics. Fully destemmed and fermented and open cuve, it matured for 18 months in used barrique. A touch of smoke wraps itself around aromatic wild cherry. Cool, smooth balance is immediately apparent on the palate--coolness, in fact, is the operative term, even in this warm year. Fully ripe tannins brush like starched velvet, rounded but really fine. The wild cherry aroma is beguiling and pure, while the freshness is pristine, pure and expressive. My oh my, this is quite a number for an estate Pinot Noir. (Bone-dry)

The 2021 Spätburgunder was harvested in the cool early morning in Saulheim from younger vines of both French and German genetics. The fruit was de-stemmed and fermented spontaneously, followed by 18 months in barriques and a further two months in steel, then bottled unfiltered. The nose sports Amarena cherry, cocoa, Ceylon tea and pepper alongside juicy mulberry fruit. The palate is immediately peppery, wonderfully taut and very contained, with a crunchy structure and bright freshness. Rather a cut above your usual estate Pinot.