Five exclamation points in a majestic international offering. There were over 5,000 producers on display at the 2024 edition of Prowein. We have selected five European reds of great class, sourced from Germany, France, and Italy. To be stored in the cellar awaiting the right occasion.
Pinot Noir Jaspis Hermann 2021 Ziereisen
Hanspeter and Edel's wines win us over. Their artisanal winery located in the German region of Baden, not so far from Basel as the crow flies, is one of the most beautiful surprises of Prowein. First, we taste two Chasselas of authorship, along with a Pinot Grigio of great character, then it's time for Pinot Noir. The Jaspis Hermann '21 is a marvelous red, the product of a vineyard at 500 meters altitude, among the highest in Germany, nestled in the woods of the Black Forest. The soils are rich in iron. Exquisite finesse, with light hints of quinine, cola, and blood orange. The palate enchants: a wonderful gustatory expansion, multifaceted and dancing. Masterful use of the dimension conferred by a small proportion of stems and a thrilling finish. Blindfolded, it would easily hold its own against labels that today are only within reach of Porsche collectors. Euro 55
Sancerre Rouge La Noue 2019 Claude Riffault
We move to the Loire, with a Pinot Noir that has a white soul. The soils are marls from the Kimmeridgian period; once again, the winery follows biodynamic principles under the guidance of the young Stéphane Riffault, son of Claude. It impresses with its ethereal, high-definition aromas, fragrant with small red fruits. The structure is slender and light but with considerable gustatory length, with a clear and vivid finish. You feel like drinking it immediately, with a balsamic background and citrus returns. Euro 38
Priorat Terra de Cuques 2021 Terroir Al Lìmit
Austerity of times past for this red produced in Catalonia. It's a blend of equal parts Grenache and Carignan cultivated in Torroja. Whole-cluster fermentation and then wood and concrete. It has an authentic character, of nuts and hazelnuts, then black fruits. On the palate, it's simply dry, continuous, with a dense and dynamic tannic texture, with a pleasantly almond-like closure. Great aging potential and a vintage profile that highlights hard parts of remarkable character. Euro 45
Barolo Monvigliero 2020 Vietti
Verduno in its full splendor. Vinification with whole clusters for 60%, the wine matures for 24 months in oak barrels. What poetry! Enchanting scents of violet and licorice, the palate is a glove of simply superior class. Disarming for its finesse and tannic compactness, the floral and balsamic hints are very refined, as is the note of undergrowth and spices. A purely clean and equally long finish; compared to other vintages, it's more ready and lighter. For us, it's a true ode to the beauty of Italian wine. We vastly preferred it to the preview of the Barolo Riserva 2016. Euro 200
G. Punto Grenache 2020 Due Mani
We close in Tuscany with Grenache. The vineyard is located in Castellina Marittima, at 350 meters altitude, the bush vines sink into clay soils with an important presence of limestone. We put our nose in the glass and widen our eyes: what a nose! Subtle and infiltrating with juniper, pepper, and rhubarb, the palate is a caress: silk, spicy sprint, crunchy fruit, and a very long finish of pomegranate and sweet peppers. Euro 150
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