Reicholzheimer Schwarzriesling, Ehrlenbach, Franconia. Surprising red organic wine from Schwarzriesling, known in France as Pinot Meunier or Meunier (Champagne). This Reicholzheimer Schwarzriesling is beautifully clear red. With aromas of cherries, berries, and blackberries plus earthy notes and some graphite (pencil shavings).
On the palate, full and powerful with freshness, wild mushrooms, mineral. Also a hint of coffee and pepper. Soft tannins. A delicious wine to discover. It has something of a fine Beaujolais. Only 12% alcohol. The wine matures for 12 months in barriques.
- Serve; 14 °C
- Drink: now until 2029
Schwarzriesling alias Pinot Meunier, discover this grape!
Florian Ehrlenbach is a super talent. He also worked with top producers Horst Sauer in Franconia and Manincor in Alto Adige. Since 2017, he has also been working as vineyard manager at Paul Fürst in Franconia, which has been among the top 3 best German Spätburgunder producers for decades. And now also at his own small winery. Florian is assisted by his brother Philipp. The leading wine guide Eichelmann immediately awarded 2 stars:
Das Niveau ist hoch – und die Stilistik überzeugt, sie setzen auf Frische und Frucht, die Weine sind moderat im Alkohol, kompromisslos trocken, sehr reintönig und haben Grip.
Weingut Ehrlenbach is a tiny domain with 2.5 hectares of vineyards. The young winemakers Florian and Philipp Ehrlenbach took over the business from their parents. Since 2019, the brothers have been marketing their wines themselves. Before that, the grapes went to the local cooperative. But the total production is small: only 5000 bottles annually. The winery has also been officially organic since 2022.
The vineyards are located in the idyllic Taubertal, where the narrow Tauber river meanders for 130 kilometers. This river runs through 3 different wine regions, and Florian and Philipp's vineyards are located in Baden and Franconia, southeast of Frankfurt.
Ideal soil of clay and limestone
The soil contains clay and limestone full of fossils. Ideal for Spätburgunder, or Pinot Noir. But Schwarzriesling, aka Pinot Meunier, also thrives here. The vineyards are relatively high (300 meters) and directly south-facing. Together, these are perfect conditions for making fine wines from both grape varieties. There is enough sun for ripe grapes and enough cooling at night for beautiful acidity.
The harvest is done by hand. This allows for strict selection. For vinification, the motto is: 'Finger weg!' That means: hands off! So as little intervention as possible, no additives, only a few milligrams of sulfite after fermentation, well below the permitted EU standard. The wine is bottled unfiltered.
