# SJ Pinot Noir Limited Edition (2021)

- **Producer:** Schloss Johannisberg
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Rheingau, Germany
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €40
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, blackberry, violet, cloves, coffee, forest floor

## About this wine

Domäne Schloss Johannisberg, situated in Germany's Rheingau region, carries a storied winemaking legacy dating back to 817 AD. Associated historically with the Metternich family, the estate is world-famous as the first single-varietal Riesling domain and the birthplace of Spätlese late-harvest wines in 1775. Beyond its iconic color-coded capsule system for whites, the winery crafts micro-production red releases from Pinot Noir to showcase the unique warm slate and stony gravel terroirs of the region.

## Interesting facts

- Schloss Johannisberg's winemaking history spans over 1,200 years, dating back to Charlemagne in 817 AD.
- The estate created the famous color-coded capsule system in 1820, where 'Rotlack' (red wax) originally signified Kabinett quality for white Riesling.

## Food pairing

The bright acidity, subtle oak seasoning, and silky tannins of Rheingau Pinot Noir provide an ideal balance for elegant poultry, game birds, and earthy mushroom dishes without masking delicate flavors.

## Wine making process

The grapes are 100% hand-harvested from meticulously selected parcels in the Rheingau. The winemaking involves three weeks of skin maceration for soft extraction of color and tannin structure, followed by gentle pneumatic pressing. The wine is subsequently aged for 18 months in small French oak barriques to develop complexity and fine wood integration.