Pinot Noir Hengst Grand Cru 2023 Albert Mann | Alsace

Domaine Albert Mann 's Pinot Noir Grand H Grand Cru Hengst embodies the wine estate's ambition to raiseAlsace red wines to their highest level. The Grand Cru Hengst, the first terroir officially classified as a Grand Cru for Pinot Noir (in 2022), is a historic, south-facing hillside. Here, the Albert Mann wine estate cultivates a small parcel of vines over forty years old, rooted in a complex matrix of marl, limestone and sandstone, an ideal base for giving the wine a rare intensity and characteristic mineral vibrancy. Biodynamically farmed, the vineyard is meticulously cultivated, with an artisanal approach to precision. Grapes harvested at perfect ripeness are sorted, destemmed and gently vinified before 12 months ageing in 228-liter Burgundy barrels, selected for their finesse.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: Domaine Albert Mann 's Pinot Noir Grand H is one ofAlsace's most exclusive and prized reds. It achieves a rare alliance between solar power and stylistic mastery. This cuvée belongs to the elite of Pinot Noirs, ranking among the great names of the Côte de Nuits. The rigorous attention paid to each stage of production is reflected in the glass, year after year, with impressive ageing potential.

The nose is immediately deep and evocative: notes of ripe blackcurrant and candied cherry meet accents of noble leather and sweet spices. Hints of dried flowers and blood orange meet the smoky notes of the terroir, bringing a wild dimension to the bouquet.

On the palate, the attack is ample, marked by elegant density. The wine reveals a generous body, supported by perfectly integrated acidity that balances the vintage's solar imprint. Refined ageing underlines the structure without ever masking the fruit or the vibrant limestone of Grand Cru Hengst. The long, particularly sapid finish confirms the deliciously racy character of Pinot Noir Grand H, which will become even more complex as it ages.