Bernhard Huber Chardonnay "ALTE REBEN" (old Vines)
| Vintage: | 2017 |
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| Description: | Falstaff Magazine - 94 Points Mineral nose, flint, roasted aromas, green walnut and pear. Begins softly on the palate, then develops density and pressure, enormous extract, pointed acidity, enormous minerality and spice, full of energy and also velvety. Long finale, great potential. We are so excited to share this discovery with you, and have been waiting over a year to finally get this wine in our hands. Though Riesling is Germanys signature grape, we are taking a different path this time with an introduction, if you will, to German White Burgundy. Yes! And who else to start than with one of the best. For the past 20 years, Weingut Bernhard Huber has been considered one of the most important wine producers in Germany, known most prominently for their Pinot Noir, but we were most taken by this sumptuous white. The Huber estate sits near the famous Kaiserstuhl (translated, the Kaiserstuhl means Emperors Chair, a volcanic range of hills with a ziggurat-like appearance), in the Baden village of Malterdingen with limestone soils, very similar to those found in the Cte d'Or. We hardly ever hear about these wines, because of scarcity. Most of the Hubers wines are enjoyed in Germany where they are much beloved. The Huber "Alte Reben" or, "Old Vines" is 100% Chardonnay. grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation. According to Julian's philosophy, all musts are fermented through and then the young wines are given a long aging period on the lees, and matured in neutral French oak for 16 months. Fruit is sourced from Hubers oldest Chardonnay vines are over 40-years-old with low yields. Perfect soils and firstclass climatic conditions make this wine top-notch. On the nose, you are greeted with the scent of white stone fruit, white flowers, baking spice, a smidge of creaminess, and immediately, one thinks of White Burgundy. The wine is buoyed by incredible freshness, minerality, lots of limestone and again white flowers and stone fruit on the palate. The feel is delicate, rich in finesse and elegant. We were so taken by this wine when we tried it in Germany, we had to bring it over to share with you. Huber's entry-level Chardonnay has been called Chardonnay Alte Reben since the 2014 vintage. The fact that this is an entry-level wine is not even rudimentary - it is rather a great wine art! Julian Huber is now setting new standards in terms of Chardonnay in Germany and the "little one" doesn't have to hide from his big brothers from the Bienenberg and Schlossberg vineyards. Thanks to an earlier harvest, Julian brings more acidity and firmness to the wines, plus a somewhat more reductive development and you already feel that the taste is clearly Burgundy. Cool smokiness on the nose, some sesame, flint (sulfur). plus white melon, apple, the wood is only minimally noticeable. On the palate, a minimalist and sparse structure and pure acidity, a lot of citrus, some grapefruit, then lime notes come through, but prancing and fine, remains grandiose, although it is still a baby, this Chardonnay is a real joy. |
| Price: | $ 56.98 |
| Price in original currency: | None |
Available from Hi-Time Wine Cellars
| Address: |
250 Ogle Street Costa Mesa, CA 92627 United States |
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| Telephone (toll-free): | 800-331-3005 |
| Telephone (regular): | 949-650-8463 |
| Fax: | 949-631-6863 |
First added to 1000 Corks on August 16, 2021.
