Bernhard Huber Malterdinger Bienenberg Spatburgunder Grosses Gewachs 2019

Weingut Bernhard Huber Malterdinger Bienenberg Spätburgunder Grosses Gewächs is a masterfully chiseled, world-class German Pinot Noir that serves as a defining benchmark for the Baden region. Sourced from the historic Bienenberg Grand Cru vineyard in Malterdingen, this site carries a profound heritage dating back to the 13th century when Cistercian monks first brought Pinot Noir clones directly from Burgundy. The vineyard's steep, south-facing slopes are dominated by a unique composition of highly compressed, weathered shell-limestone (Muschelkalk) with tight topsoils of loamy clay. Winemaker Julian Huber respects this lineage with a Burgundian approach to vinification: native yeast fermentation in open wooden vats with a thoughtful inclusion of whole clusters, followed by an elegant, patient maturation in fine-grained French oak barriques.

In the glass, it displays a radiant, translucent ruby hue, giving way to an exceptionally complex, high-toned nose of wild raspberries, tart red currants, and dried rose petals, intricately laced with nuances of smoky slate, white pepper, and subtle forest floor. On the palate, the Bienenberg distinguishes itself from the muscle of the Schlossberg by prioritizing sheer elegance, ethereal transparency, and silky finesse. It is medium-bodied and beautifully tensioned, wrapping fine, energetic tannins around a bright core of crunchy red fruit, sour cherry, and a deep, mineral-driven saltiness. The hallmark of this Grosses Gewächs is its stunning, refreshing lift, driven by an electric line of limestone acidity that carries into a remarkably long, clean, and vibrant finish.