Two German legends: the 2019s from Stodden and Dönnhoff

This is a brilliant introduction to the estate, from a selection of vineyards in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Dernau and Rech. Cherry fruit and some spice, and then a long and mineral finish. Just such a delicious Pinot Noir, with excellent potential.

From the vineyard above the winery, and a real insider’s pick. South facing slate soils craft a dark and brooding Pinot Noir, but one that retains brilliant dancing acidity. This is made from the same side as the GG Herrenberg, and shows much of the same character: it’s a baby grand cru.

Planted in the early 1980s, Alexander Stodden has cared for this vineyard since 2001. From Greywacke soils, with some clay, this is a powerful and spectacularly long wine. Notes of dark berries and some spice, and then a mineral finish. Bravo.

From Jean Stodden's most famous vineyard, this is incredible in 2019. There's so much going on here, with spice and dark fruit, and a hint of liquorice, too. The finish is mineral and so well defined, and goes on for an age. With elegance yet power, this wouldn't look our of place in a line up of Burgundy Grands Crus.

An auction wine, this is a wine that’s all about subtlety and poise. Velvet tannins grow on the palate, while notes of herbs and small berry fruit dance around the mouth. The finish is mineral, detailed, and lasts an age. A true Grand Cru: one of Germany’s greatest Pinot Noirs, made is miniscule quantities.

The Dellchen are the hollows that sit between cliffs that lift up from the Nahe, and this south-facing vineyard creates a wine that has astonishing intensity and complexity, with notes of ginger and more exotic spices. It benefits from an incredibly long hang time on the vines, and the resulting wine is brilliant.

From vineyards predominantly from volcanic soils, but also with slate and quartzite, this is a brilliant introduction to the wines of the estate. Mineral, cool, and utterly delicious, don’t underestimate the potential for ageing here.

From 100-year old vines, this is a real gem. Made from noble grapes, this has loads of ripe exotic fruit, but still the incredible minerality for which this vineyard has long been prized. A genuine privilege to taste.

Southeast facing, the morning sun on this vineyard dries out any moisture, resulting in perfectly healthy grapes, while the warm slate soils creates a Kabinett that’s full of ripe fruit and tons of energy: it’s one of the most up-front, delicious wines we know. Not to be missed in a great vintage like 2019.

From a small plot of the oldest vines, this was first produced in 2017: this is just the third vintage of a GG from the Krotenpfuhl vineyard, following ten years of recultivation of the plot. This balances richness and elegance: there’s ripe exotic fruit, and then a vibrant line of acidity that continues onto the long finish. Brilliant.