August Kesseler Cuvée Max Pinot Noir 2016

August Kesseler Cuvée Max Pinot Noir 2016 is a refined, small‑production Spätburgunder from one of the Rheingau’s most respected red wine pioneers. Crafted from carefully selected Pinot Noir parcels, it captures the elegance of Burgundy with the precision and freshness of Germany’s cool climate. With only a few bottles still available, this vintage offers a rare opportunity to experience mature, top‑tier German Pinot at its peak. The Cuvée Max is conceived as a flagship blend, bringing together the estate’s finest Pinot Noir lots in a single, harmonious wine. Fine tannins, vibrant acidity and judicious oak aging make it stand out among German reds, offering both immediate pleasure and excellent cellaring potential. August Kesseler helped redefine the Rheingau as serious red wine country in the late 20th century, and this 2016 is a confident expression of that legacy.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, August Kesseler Cuvée Max Pinot Noir 2016 typically shows a translucent ruby to garnet hue, with a slight brick edge that hints at its evolving maturity. The colour is bright and clear, suggesting both precision in winemaking and the naturally delicate pigment of Spätburgunder. The nose is detailed and layered: red cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry are intertwined with notes of rose petals, dried herbs and subtle forest floor. With air, secondary aromas emerge—hints of black tea, warm spice, cedar and a touch of truffle and sous‑bois typical of well‑developed Pinot. On the palate, the wine is medium‑bodied and finely structured, with silky tannins wrapped around a core of fresh red fruits, cranberry and a touch of blood orange. Well‑integrated oak brings nuances of vanilla pod, cocoa and clove without dominating the fruit. The acidity is lively yet balanced, giving the wine a precise, long and savoury finish. At this stage, the 2016 is entering a beautiful drinking window, showing both freshness and gentle tertiary complexity, with the potential to evolve gracefully for a few more years under good cellaring conditions.

Production
Weingut August Kesseler farms prime Rheingau sites, where steep, south‑facing slopes, slate and quartzite soils, and the moderating influence of the Rhine create an ideal microclimate for high‑quality Spätburgunder. Yields for a cuvée like Max are typically kept low to concentrate flavour and retain excellent natural acidity. The grapes are hand‑harvested at optimal ripeness, with careful selection in the vineyard and at the sorting table to ensure only healthy, perfectly ripe bunches make the cut. Fermentation usually takes place in small vats, often with extended maceration to gently extract colour, aroma and fine tannins. The wine is then matured in a proportion of small oak barrels (including some new wood), allowing it to develop complexity, texture and subtle spice, before final blending and bottling.

Food & Serving
This 2016 Cuvée Max Pinot Noir is an excellent partner for refined, flavourful dishes rather than heavy, robust fare. Think roast duck with cherry or plum glaze, herb‑crusted lamb rack, veal tenderloin, mushroom risotto, truffled poultry, or game birds like quail and pheasant. It also pairs beautifully with earthy vegetarian dishes built around beetroot, roasted root vegetables or lentils, as well as mild to medium‑strong semi‑hard cheeses. Serve at 14–16°C to highlight its perfume and finesse; if the wine is stored cool, allow it to come slowly up to temperature in the glass. For optimal expression, decant gently 30–60 minutes before serving to let the aromatics open and any bottle sediment settle.

Producer
Weingut August Kesseler, based in Assmannshausen in the Rheingau, is widely credited with elevating German Pinot Noir to international renown. While the Rheingau is historically known for Riesling, Kesseler recognised the potential of the region’s steep, red‑slate vineyards for Spätburgunder and, beginning in the 1980s, invested heavily in low yields, meticulous vineyard work and barrique aging. Today, the estate is considered one of Germany’s benchmark producers for Pinot Noir, frequently earning high ratings and critical acclaim. By combining Burgundian inspiration with a distinct Rheingau identity, August Kesseler has helped redefine the region’s reputation, proving that world‑class red wine can emerge from this traditionally white‑wine heartland.

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