{"product_id":"weingut-rings-das-kleine-kreuz-rotweincuvee-bio-2024","title":"Weingut Rings Das kleine Kreuz Rotweincuvée Bio 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eWeingut Rings Das kleine Kreuz Rotweincuvée Bio 2023 is the so‑called “second wine” from the renowned Freinsheim single vineyard Schwarzes Kreuz, but it’s treated with the same care as its famous sibling, Das Kreuz. This organically farmed red blend of St. Laurent, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah shows just how compelling modern Pfalz red wine can be: ripe, fleshy fruit wrapped in fine spice and structure. Long, powerful and polished, it delivers serious depth while remaining remarkably approachable in its youth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, Das kleine Kreuz 2023 shows a deep, ruby‑purple color with youthful brightness at the rim, hinting at both intensity and freshness. The nose opens with a generous, dark fruit core of ripe black cherries and cassis, supported by notes of dark cocoa, freshly cracked green pepper, bay leaf and a touch of old leather. Subtle vanilla and sweet spice from the mix of new and used barriques add further complexity without dominating the fruit.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is full‑bodied and juicy, with a dense, “meaty” cherry and blackcurrant character at its heart. The structure is built on sweet, still slightly firm tannins that promise further integration with a bit of time, alongside a balanced, refreshing acidity that keeps the wine lively rather than heavy. Cocoa, fine herbal spice and a hint of vanilla linger on a long, powerful finish. Enjoyable now with a short decant, it has the stuffing to develop beautifully for 6–8 years from the vintage, gaining even more harmony and tertiary complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe grapes for Das kleine Kreuz come from the warm, gravel and sand soils around Freinsheim in the Pfalz, an area well suited to ripening Bordeaux and Rhône varieties in a cooler‑climate context. All fruit is organically grown and harvested by hand, then carefully sorted again at the winery before being fully destemmed. Fermentation takes place spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, reflecting the character of the site rather than imposed aromas. After fermentation, the young wine is aged for just under two years in small oak barrels, a combination of new and used barriques, adding texture and complexity without overwhelming the fruit. Bottling is done without prior filtration to preserve maximum depth, flavor and authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis cuvée is a superb partner for hearty, flavorful dishes: think grilled or roasted lamb, dry‑aged beef, venison, braised short ribs, or rich stews with root vegetables and Mediterranean herbs. It also pairs beautifully with mushroom dishes, truffle pasta, aged hard cheeses and charcuterie. Serve at 16–18 °C, slightly cooler than room temperature, to highlight its freshness and structure. Decant for 30–60 minutes in its youth to soften the tannins and allow the dark fruit and spice to fully emerge; older bottles will need a gentler, shorter decant primarily to remove any sediment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWeingut Rings, based in Freinsheim in the northern Pfalz, has evolved from a small family estate into one of Germany’s most exciting modern red‑wine producers. Run by brothers Steffen and Andreas Rings, the winery is known for its meticulous vineyard work, organic farming and a strong focus on terroir‑driven wines, especially from sites like Schwarzes Kreuz. Their red blends, inspired by Bordeaux and the Rhône but unmistakably Pfalz in character, have helped redefine what German red wine can be, earning critical acclaim and a loyal following. Das kleine Kreuz plays a key role in the range, offering a more accessible yet still serious expression of the estate’s philosophy and of this distinctive Freinsheim terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Weingut Rings","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54252396314961,"sku":"VC-4174","price":26.26,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/bild_weingut_rings_das_kleine_kreuz_rotweincuvee_bio_2023_1280x1280_7837714f-8061-4995-82ba-442a0b172606.jpg?v=1783444466","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/weingut-rings-das-kleine-kreuz-rotweincuvee-bio-2024","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}