Fred Prinz Hendelberg Spätburgunder 2022

Fred Prinz Hendelberg Spätburgunder 2022 is a refined German Pinot Noir from steep, slate-rich slopes in the Rheingau, crafted with the same precision that has made the estate famous for Riesling. This single-vineyard style red combines mineral-driven finesse with depth and structure, showing how serious Spätburgunder from Rheingau can be. Long barrel aging, organic farming and minimal intervention in the cellar give a wine that is both expressive today and built to develop gracefully in bottle.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Hendelberg Spätburgunder 2022 presents a bright, translucent ruby to garnet hue, with the clarity you’d expect from an unfiltered, artisan Pinot. The nose is detailed and vibrant, offering aromas of wild cherries, red currants and raspberry, layered with rose petals, subtle smoke, graphite-like minerality and fine-spiced notes from Allier oak such as clove, sandalwood and a hint of cocoa. On the palate the wine is precise and elegant rather than opulent: juicy red berry fruit is carried by a firm, slate-driven backbone and fresh, lively acidity. Silky yet persistent tannins frame flavors of cherry, wild strawberry, a touch of cranberry, savory herbs and a cool stony note that lingers on the finish. The 24 months in partly new, partly seasoned French oak add texture and gentle toast without overshadowing the fruit. Unfined and unfiltered, it retains a natural depth and may develop a light sediment with time. Enjoyable now with air, it has very good aging potential: 6–10 years from vintage, gaining complexity in the form of forest floor, dried flowers and truffle tones.

Production
The grapes for this Spätburgunder come from steep parcels in the Hendelberg vineyard, facing south to south‑west with slopes up to 40%. The poor, stony soils are dominated by slate with some quartzite, shallow to medium-deep and quick to warm. Slate absorbs the sun’s heat during the day and releases it at night, while the elevated, wind-exposed position ensures excellent ventilation and long hang times—an ideal setup in a warming climate, giving healthy, slowly ripened grapes with pronounced minerality and finesse. Harvest took place from late September to mid-October, with careful hand selection, sorting and destemming. Fermentation was carried out traditionally in vats over around 14 days, followed by an additional 8 days of maceration on the skins before pressing. The wine then matured for 24 months in a combination of new and used Allier oak barrels, where malolactic fermentation also took place, and was finally bottled without fining or filtration, preserving maximum character.

Food & Serving
This is a versatile gastronomic red that shines with refined dishes rather than heavy sauces. Try it with roast duck breast, grilled or pan-seared veal, herb-crusted lamb, coq au vin, or classic German fare such as roast pork with crackling and earthy root vegetables. It also pairs beautifully with mushroom dishes, truffle pasta, charcuterie, and semi-soft cheeses like Tomme, Taleggio or a mild Brie. Serve at 14–16 °C to highlight its aromatic complexity and freshness. Decanting for 45–60 minutes in its youth is recommended to open up the bouquet and soften the tannins; older bottles can be gently double-decanted to remove any natural sediment.

Producer
Weingut Fred Prinz is one of the leading names among the new generation of ambitious German winemakers, based in the Rheingau and best known for precision-crafted Rieslings. Since 2013, the estate has been fully organic, with strict vineyard management, green harvesting and low yields to ensure maximum concentration and purity of fruit. While Riesling remains the flagship, Prinz has increasingly turned heads with his elegant, terroir-driven Spätburgunder, which reflect the same meticulous approach. The winery regularly receives top scores from international critics—among the highlights, a rare 100-point rating from James Suckling for a Riesling Auslese—cementing its reputation as a benchmark producer in the Rheingau and a reference for finely structured, mineral-rich German wines.

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