Bernhard Huber Malterdinger Rot 2018

Better than my last two encounters with this 2018 - the wine has finally grown into itself. A whiff of blood and pickled cucumber up front, but past that it's classical Baden: earth, sour cherry, flowers, spice. Great acidity and concentration, long finish, a thread of minerality. Got even better with air. 2018 was a hot, generous vintage here - much kinder than the rain-troubled 2014 - and this is the bottle finally showing what the year promised. An absolute beauty, and genuinely sad this was the last.

The 2019 Bernhard Huber Malterdinger Pinot Noir is a village wine. The grapes come from vines between 8 and 25 years old growing in soil composed of weathered shell limestone and a thin layer of loess clay. About 30-35% are whole bunch fermented. After the traditional must fermentation, this wine is mainly aged in first-, second-, and third-use barriques and is bottled without filtration for 12 months.

This wine is ageing gracefully, displaying a beautiful evolution in its profile. The cherries and red flowers have matured, acquiring a slight dryness, while the forest floor notes have become more pronounced, adding depth. Accompanied by spices and subtle meaty nuances, it's a testament to its class and complexity. Fresh, yet intricate, with a lengthy and delicate finish, this wine is not just enjoyable -- it's a delightfully beautiful experience in a glass.

This Spätburgunder may wear a 3-piece suit, but it doesn't judge me for playing Nintendo Switch (tm?) a whole day with no pants on me. No, it doesn't judge, and instead, it offers a charming and warming bouquet of ripe strawberries, red currant, raw meat, underbrush and clove. It's sophisticated and delicate, yet approachable at the same time. Medium-bodied, balanced and delicious.

Malterdinger Rot

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