2018 Bellen Spatburgunder
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Tasting notes
Vegan, unfiltered. TA 5.8 g/l, RS 1.1 g/l. Fairly deep cherry red, ruby rim. Pronounced black-cherry fragrance and a hint of chocolate remotely remind me of Mon Chéri (cherry liqueur chocolates), but there’s also a vegetal component akin to tomato vine. On the palate the concentration and substance are almost unbelievable. There is dark-berry fruit, but you dare not call the Bellen fruity. It’s very compact and the tannins are slowly creeping up on you until your gums run almost dry. But still there is juice underneath that furry coat, carrying nuances of roasted nuts, tobacco, tar and marzipan. All that power and still only 12.5% alcohol. Bloody marvellous! (MS)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
From steep, west-facing, entirely manually cultivated limestone vineyards in Kirchhofen and Pfaffenweiler, the 2018 Spätburgunder Bellen is pure yet deep, intense and aromatic on the spicy, fresh, elegant and herbal/floral-scented nose that is absolutely fascinating with its tight and dense dark cherry, black fruit and floral aromas. On the palate, this is a pure, fresh and vital, very generous yet tight and concentrated, remarkably intense and silky-textured, spectacularly vibrating and aromatic Pinot Noir with great finesse and purity. The tannins are natural, fine and fresh and perfectly integrated, leading to a pure, vital and persistent yet very intense and fruity finish with incredibly gorgeous grip and tension. The Wasenhaus 2018 Bellen is a great, great Pinot Noir with energy and vitality. In fact, it is one of the finest German Pinot Noirs I can remember. Fermented with 50% whole clusters and aged in used French barrels for 18 months. 13% alcohol. Tasted from Lot L/184 in July 2020.