Weingut Familie Hofmann Tauberschwarz R Probstberg 2023

Weingut Familie Hofmann Tauberschwarz R Probstberg 2021 is a rare glimpse into one of Germany’s almost-forgotten red grape varieties, elevated to a truly serious, ageworthy wine. This cuvée, marked with the estate’s “R” designation, spends a full 24 months in oak, gaining depth, polish and complexity without losing its cool-climate precision. Sourced from the flint-rich Probstberg site in Franken, it showcases both the historic Tauberschwarz grape and the region’s distinctive, mineral-driven style.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Tauberschwarz R presents a deep, transparent ruby hue with garnet reflections at the rim, hinting at its time in barrel and its evolving character. The nose offers concentrated aromas of dark heart cherries and sour morello cherries, layered with subtle oak tones—think fine wood spice, tobacco, and a touch of cocoa—woven into a spine of cool, stony minerality. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied yet intense, with a taut, focused structure. Dark cherry fruit leads the way, followed by notes of leather, smoke, and a flinty, almost gunpowder-like minerality drawn from the Probstberg’s soils. The tannins are still slightly green and youthful, giving a firm grip that frames the fruit and savory elements. The finish is long and distinctive, with a gentle, appetizing bitterness reminiscent of cherry pits and a lingering, cigar-like smokiness that calls to mind a fine Cohiba. While already highly enjoyable, this 2021 has the structure and acidity to evolve gracefully over the next 6–8 years, gaining further harmony and softness.

Production
The Tauberschwarz R Probstberg comes from the Probstberg vineyard in Franken, a site known for its firestone (flint) soils that impart a clear, smoky-mineral character to the wines. Yields are kept modest to concentrate the naturally light-colored but expressive Tauberschwarz grape, and harvesting is typically done by hand to ensure only perfectly ripe, healthy clusters reach the cellar. Unlike Hofmann’s basic Tauberschwarz, this “R” bottling is matured for 24 months in oak barrels, allowing slow oxygen exchange and integration of wood and fruit. The extended barrel aging polishes the tannins, deepens the texture, and layers in subtle smoky and spicy nuances without overpowering the grape’s pure cherry-driven profile.

Food & Serving
This structured, smoky and cherry-scented Tauberschwarz R is a superb partner for hearty, savory dishes. It pairs beautifully with roast duck or goose, grilled lamb chops, venison and other game, as well as braised beef, charcuterie, and earthy mushroom dishes. It also works well with aged semi-hard cheeses and dishes featuring smoked components. Serve at 16–18 °C (60–64 °F) to highlight both fruit and spice. A short decant of 30–60 minutes is recommended in its youth to soften the tannins and allow the leather, smoke and mineral notes to fully emerge.

Producer
Weingut Hofmann is a family-run estate rooted in Franken, a region long known for its distinctive terroirs and traditional grape varieties. The Hofmann family has built its reputation on thoughtful, quality-driven viticulture and a commitment to preserving local specialties such as Tauberschwarz, a historically significant but now rare red variety from the Tauber valley. By carefully matching grape to site—such as planting Tauberschwarz in the flint-rich Probstberg—and by employing patient, long elevage in oak for selected cuvées like the “R”, Hofmann has become a noteworthy ambassador for Franken’s modern red wine potential. Their work has helped bring renewed attention to Tauberschwarz and to the nuanced, terroir-expressive wines that this corner of Germany can produce.

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