Schlossberg Staufen Chardonnay 2020

Schlossberg Staufen Chardonnay 2020

98/100 by James Suckling

Grape: Chardonnay
Alcohol: 13% abv
Type: Dry White
Vintage: 2020
Format: 75cl
Classification: Lagenwein (Classified Superior Single Vineyard)
Region: Baden
Country: Germany

52.00

Qty

Description

Wine

Lush, exotic and impressive Chardonnay created from the plots above Staufen im Breisgau which Fritz Waßmer acquired almost 10 years ago.

Lots of vanilla, but also flowers and lovely mouth-watering citrus, juicy peaches, pineapples and baked apples. Body is full, intense and almost creamy with such aromas that the underlying acid and minerality are completely balanced and only really felt on the finish. An exciting Chardonnay that has lost touch with the role models of Meursault and Montrachet and is now to be experienced and enjoyed on its own terms. A wine that everyone who loves fatty white wines should invest in, and experience how beautifully a skilled winemaker can integrate a massive wine without the fruit sticking out too much. A delicate balancing act that rarely succeeds.

Region

Baden is situated in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, bordering France to the west and Switzerland to the south. It stretches from the northern part of the Black Forest to the northern outskirts of the city of Basel.

Baden is known for its vibrant wine culture, and various wine festivals and events take place throughout the year. These festivals provide an excellent opportunity for locals and visitors alike to taste and enjoy the region’s wines.

Climate & Terroir

The region benefits from a relatively mild climate, thanks to its proximity to the Rhine River and the shelter provided by the Black Forest to the east. The diverse terroir of the region, including various soil types and microclimates, allows for the cultivation of a wide range of grape varieties.

Vineyard

These vines grow on the south and south-west slopes of the Schlossberg in Staufen in Markgräflerland. The soil is characterized by shell limestone and yellow slate. In this exposed location there is a pronounced microclimate, with strong sunshine and cooling winds from the Rhine plain. The wines from the Schlossberg combine strength and freshness, excitement and finesse and, with their silky texture, form one of the estate’s highlights.

Vinification

The grapes are hand-harvested at perfect maturity on a single morning on one of the last days of September after a long period of beautiful weather and the right diurnal temperatures between day and night. The wine was fermented directly in new and used French casks where the wine was also subsequently aged for 14 months before bottling. 

Ideal drinking temperature 10 °C.

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