2020 Merlot dry

Our red wine selection is not (yet) as large as the white wine selection, but that will change in the coming decades. The changed climatic conditions ensure that red wine of exceptionally good quality can now also be pressed in the northern latitudes. We are adapting to this by gradually reforming our vineyards. We currently only grow red wine on just over 20% of our vineyards. Anyone who loves red wine should therefore keep an eye on us. In addition to our full-bodied Merlot and Pinot Noir wines, we also have the wonderful premium wine Saint Laurent , which has received awards from well-known wine critics!

Only selected wines mature in barrique barrels at our winery. With a height of 1.20m, a barrique barrel contains a whopping 225 liters of wine. It costs (empty!) between 800 and 3,800 euros, depending on which oak tree is used. You can choose between French, German, American or Canadian oak, and each provides a very different flavor. We use American oak, sometimes French too.

There are three reasons for storage in barrique barrels:

1. It offers the possibility of micro-oxidation (ie a little oxygen goes through the wooden wall and thus reacts with the wine)
2. The tannin in red wine (which causes the bitter taste) is "broken", making the taste of the wine softer and rounder
3. Wonderful roasted aromas are created because the barrels are "toasted" (that's actually what it means!) before use. In the past, they were traditionally burned out over a fire, but today this can be done mechanically with an infrared lamp.

The casks can be used for 20 to 30 years until they no longer give off any flavor. In 2021, our Merlot was awarded the " Best Collection " by the DLG ( Deutsche Lebensmittel Gesellschaft ) along with four other barrique wines from our winery: 2019 Pinot Noir , 2018 Saint Laurent , 2020 Pinot Blanc and 2020 Chardonnay .

What wine experts say:

"Dark cherry red with violet reflections; berry aromas of forest fruits such as blackberries and raspberries paired with hints of tobacco and leather in the bouquet; well-integrated roasted aromas are presented on the palate in combination with a velvety tannin structure; warming finish." DLG Federal Wine Awards, Frankfurt, October 18th, 2021

" Very appetizing scent of plums, black cherries and some smoke. Gentle and lush in the mouth, with soft tannins. Wonderful with stewed beef, duck with cherries and sauerbraten with red cabbage..." Dr. Rolf Klein, experienced wine author and former editor-in-chief of the magazine " Weinwelt ".

Awards:

Vintage 2019

(AP No. 5073053 2121)

- Best collection "aged in (barrique) barrels" and

- Golden DLG prize and awarded by the DLG - Federal Wine Awards