# Spätburgunder vom Mergelstein (2021)

- **Producer:** Kleines Gut
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Spätburgunder
- **Region:** Baden, Germany
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €22
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, raspberry, strawberry, redcurrant, violet, rose, black pepper, vanilla, cloves, cedar, toast, forest floor, wet leaves, leather, mushroom

## About this wine

Kleines Gut is a boutique, artisanal winery located in the Baden region of Germany, dedicated to crafting terroir-driven wines with minimal intervention. Run with a hands-on philosophy, the estate focuses on showcasing the unique geological characteristics of their vineyards. The 'Spätburgunder vom Mergelstein' is a prime example of this approach, drawing its distinctive character from the marl and limestone soils of the Mergelstein site, resulting in a Pinot Noir of exceptional elegance, purity, and mineral tension.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Mergelstein' refers directly to the marl (Mergel) and limestone soils that define the vineyard's unique terroir.
- Kleines Gut translates to 'Small Estate,' highlighting their micro-scale, highly focused production philosophy.
- Spätburgunder is the German name for Pinot Noir, and Baden is globally celebrated as Germany's premier region for this noble grape.

## Food pairing

This cool-climate Spätburgunder thrives alongside dishes that mirror its bright acidity and earthy undertones. The wine's natural acidity cuts through rich, fatty meats like duck and pork, while its delicate red fruit and forest floor notes beautifully complement earthy mushrooms and game.

## Wine making process

The grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and carefully sorted. Fermentation takes place spontaneously using native yeasts in open-top fermenters to encourage gentle extraction of color and tannins. The wine is then aged in neutral French oak barriques to develop complexity and texture while preserving the delicate primary fruit characteristics. It is bottled with minimal filtration and a low addition of sulfur.