Valentin Zusslin : Pinot Noir "Bollenberg Neuberg" 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for Valentin Zusslin Pinot Noir "Bollenberg Neuberg" 2018

Tasting

Color
The color reveals a bright ruby-red hue.

Nose
The nose displays great aromatic complexity with notes of ripe cherries and orange zest. Delicate nuances of sweet spices, earthy and smoky notes accompany the bouquet, while touches of herbs and red fruit add an extra dimension to the whole.

Palate
On the palate, this wine impresses with its remarkable intensity and finesse. The palate unveils aromas of black cherries and perfectly ripe berries, interlaced with toasty notes. Very fine, silky tannins wrap around a delicate acidity that brings freshness and energy. The limestone minerality characteristic of the Bollenberg terroir comes through fully, lending a long, crystalline, saline finish that extends the tasting experience with elegance.

Food and wine pairings
Pinot Noir "Bollenberg Neuberg" 2018 is an ideal match for bouchées à la reine, an oven-roasted rabbit, or confit lamb. This wine also pairs very well with red meats cooked medium, game birds with spicy sauces, as well as aged cheeses such as munster, gruyère, or comté. Its refined structure and minerality also allow it to accompany river fish such as trout or salmon.

Serving and cellaring
Pinot Noir "Bollenberg Neuberg" 2018 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature of 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve until around 2035.

A mineral and concentrated Alsace Pinot Noir from Domaine Valentin Zusslin

The estate
Domaine Valentin Zusslin was founded in 1691 in Orschwihr, in the south of Alsace. Fully converted to biodynamics in 1997 under the impetus of Jean-Marie Zusslin, the estate has now been run by Marie and Jean-Paul Zusslin since 2000. Spanning sixteen hectares, the property is certified Demeter, Biodyvin, and Ecocert. Recognized as one of the ten best biodynamic estates in the world by critic Tom Stevenson, Valentin Zusslin favors quality and the authentic expression of Alsace terroirs through respectful viticulture and natural winemaking.

The vineyard
Pinot Noir "Bollenberg Neuberg" 2018 comes from the Neuberg lieu-dit, located on the upper eastern part of the Bollenberg hill. This exceptional terroir is characterized by very dry limestone soil covered by less than forty centimeters of clay. Morning sun exposure promotes efficient photosynthesis and optimal grape ripening. The surrounding heathlands, protected landscapes typical of this hill, help create a distinctive microclimate. Bollenberg is home to more than one hundred and fifty different plant species and is one of Europe’s most biodiversity-rich winegrowing environments. This ecological diversity, combined with the mineral richness of the limestone soils, gives Neuberg wines remarkable intensity and concentration, making this lieu-dit one of the most representative of Bollenberg.

The vintage
The 2018 vintage in Alsace is considered a legendary year for red wines. After a relatively late budbreak on April 10, the growing season was marked by warm, sunny conditions throughout the vegetative cycle. These exceptional conditions made it possible to reach remarkable phenolic ripeness and unusually high levels of concentration. Harvesting began very early on September 5, reflecting the vintage’s precocity. The sustained heat throughout the season produced particularly ripe grapes with high sugar levels and excellent phenolic ripeness—ideal conditions for crafting structured, complex Pinot Noirs with significant aging potential.

Winemaking and aging
The grapes for Pinot Noir "Bollenberg Neuberg" 2018 are harvested exclusively by hand and transported in crates of a maximum of twenty kilograms to preserve their integrity. A rigorous selection in three successive passes is carried out before vatting. Pneumatic pressing is performed slowly over more than ten hours to gently extract quality juice. Alcoholic fermentation starts spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes, without the addition of oenological products. Aging takes place in large oval oak foudres from the Vosges, allowing natural micro-oxygenation and harmonious maturation. The wine rests on fine lees for an extended period that can exceed two years, thereby developing aromatic complexity and textural richness.

Grape variety
100% Pinot Noir