Griesel & Compagnie Pinot Noir Auerbacher Fürstenlager Brut Nature 2018 white

Griesel & Compagnie Pinot Noir Auerbacher Fürstenlager Brut Nature 2018 is a striking Blanc de Noirs from Germany’s Hessische Bergstraße, crafted entirely from Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). Made as a white sparkling wine from red grapes, it delivers serious Champagne-level finesse with a distinctly German precision and mineral character. With only 982 bottles produced, and top scores from Falstaff (96 points, 2nd place in the Blanc de Noirs category) and Robert Parker (95+ points), this is a collector-worthy sparkling wine that showcases the peak of modern German Sekt craftsmanship.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Brut Nature appears pale gold with subtle copper reflections, a visual reminder of its Pinot Noir origins, and a very fine, persistent mousse. The nose is refined and complex: freshly baked brioche, toasted hazelnut and delicate creaminess from long lees aging meet bright notes of red apple skin, white cherry, lemon zest, and a distinct stony minerality. On the palate, the wine is bone-dry, taut and focused, with Brut Nature precision but no lack of charm. Crisp acidity drives flavors of citrus, crunchy pear, wild strawberries, and blood orange, layered over nuances of almond, pastry and a cool, granitic saltiness. The 60 months on the lees contribute remarkable texture and depth, giving a creamy, almost vinous mid-palate that remains lifted and elegant right through the long, saline finish. Still youthful despite its age, this 2018 has excellent aging potential; it will continue to gain complexity and tertiary notes (brioche, nuts, truffle, dried fruit) over the next 5–8 years and likely beyond, for those who enjoy mature sparkling wines.

Production
The fruit for this cuvée comes from a protected west-facing single parcel in the Auerbacher Fürstenlager, between the Odenwald hills and the Rhine plain at around 150 meters above sea level. The soil is loess over decomposed granite (granitic weathering), a terroir that imparts both finesse and a pronounced mineral backbone to Pinot Noir. The vines were planted in 1989, now reaching an age that combines concentration with complexity. Harvest is done by hand to ensure perfect selection of Spätburgunder bunches destined for Blanc de Noirs, with gentle pressing to extract only the finest, lightly colored juice. The first fermentation and malolactic conversion take place spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in French oak, adding textural depth and subtle spice. The base wine then spends an impressive 60 months on the lees in bottle, before disgorgement on 23 May 2024. True to the Brut Nature style, there is Dosage Zéro, allowing the terroir, vintage character, and long lees aging to speak with absolute clarity.

Food & Serving
This Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature is tailor-made for refined gastronomy. Pair it with oysters, scallop carpaccio, ceviche or tartare of sea bass to highlight its saline, mineral edge, or serve alongside sushi and sashimi for a pure, linear match. It also shines with sophisticated poultry dishes—roast guinea fowl, corn-fed chicken with morels, or veal in light cream sauce—and with fine charcuterie and soft-ripened cheeses like Brie de Meaux or young Comté. Serve well chilled, ideally at 8–10 °C, in a white wine or tulip-shaped sparkling glass to capture both complexity and aroma. A brief decanting in a carafe (10–15 minutes) or simply allowing the wine to open in the glass elevates the aromatic range, especially given the long lees aging and Brut Nature structure.

Producer
Griesel & Compagnie, based in Bensheim on the Hessische Bergstraße, has quickly established itself as one of Germany’s most exciting modern Sekt producers. Working with cool-climate sites and carefully selected parcels like the Auerbacher Fürstenlager, they focus on traditional-method sparkling wines that rival top grower Champagnes in precision, depth and terroir expression. Under the guidance of cellar master Rachele Crosara, the estate emphasizes low yields, meticulous handwork in the vineyard, spontaneous fermentations and extended lees aging, resulting in structured, gastronomic wines of real character. Griesel’s single-vineyard sparkling wines, such as this Pinot Noir Brut Nature, have earned high critical acclaim and helped redefine German Sekt’s image internationally, positioning the Hessische Bergstraße as a serious address for world-class sparkling wine.

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