Rebholz Im Sonnenschein Pinot Blanc Grosses Gewachs 2021
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Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert
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James Suckling
When I say that the nose of lemon curd, ripe star fruit and fresh pineapple leaps out at you it could make it sound as if this wine is loud, but that’s not true. It is simply strong. Rich, concentrated and precisely proportioned, this great dry pinot blanc has the depth of Grand Cru Burgundy without the oak or extravagance that often goes with it. Long and imposing chalky finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From hard Muschelkalk limestone soils and vinified in stainless steel until July of the following year, Rebholz's 2021 Im Sonnenschein Weisser Burgunder GG offers a pure, precise and flinty, lemon-scented nose with perfectly ripe and precise white fruit aromas. Very fine and elegant on the palate, this is a round and juicy, very intense but stimulating, savory and saline Pinot Blanc with fine tannins and serious mineral grip and tension on the long and aromatic finish. This is another superb Im Sonnenschein of the 2021 vintage. This comes from 30-year-old vines whose destemmed grapes were basket-pressed for eight to ten hours.
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2022-
Suckling
James
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Suckling
James
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Suckling
James -
Spectator
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Parker
Robert
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Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James
The Rebholz estate, in the southern Pfalz region of Germany, is a pioneer in organic and natural winemaking. The estate has been certified organic since 2005 and practicing biodynamic since 2006. However, even as far back as 1951, Eduard Rebholz (1889-1966), who received the title Ökonomierat, an honorary title conferred upon a deserving agriculturist, was commenting on his natural approach: "You will receive only natural wine from my cellar, wine that is the result of intense and loving cultivation of the vines and of similar vinicultural methods (no chaptalization, no artificial addition of a Süßreserve or similar fundamental structural changes that alter the native character of the wine and, in my eyes, mean that it is no longer a natural product."
This tradition continues with the current generation; Birgit and Hansjörg Rebholz together with their children Hans, Valentin and Helene work as close to nature as possible. In an effort to promote a healthy ecosystem and to protect the environment, they forgo the use of herbicides, synthetic fungicides and mineral fertilizers. They use only organic and biodynamic techniques and materials that promote healthy plants, helping the vines grow strong and prosper naturally. While these methods involve more time and effort, it is a price they are willing to accept in order to best protect and preserve the biodiversity within their vineyards
The earliest recorded history of winegrowing by the Rebholz family in Siebeldingen dates back to 1632. From beer brewer to village mayor, family members have held a wide range of titles over the years. The single constant: always at least one winemaker in the family. Around 100 years ago the Rebholz clan took the estate house, first built in the 16th century, as their family home. The Rebholz family only began bottling their wine following the Second World War, as an alternative to delivering entire barrels to local inns and restaurants.
Approachable, aromatic and pleasantly plush on the palate, Pinot Blanc is a white grape variety most associated with the Alsace region of France. Although its heritage is Burgundian, today it is rarely found there and instead thrives throughout central Europe, namely Germany and Austria, where it is known as Weissburgunder and Alto Adige where it is called Pinot Bianco. Interestingly, Pinot Blanc was born out of a mutation of the pink-skinned Pinot Gris. Somm Secret—Chardonnay fans looking to try something new would benefit from giving Pinot Blanc a try.
This sunny and relatively dry region served for many years as a German tourist mecca and was associated with low cost, cheerful wines. But since the 1980s, it has gained a reputation as one of Germany’s more innovative regions, which has led to increased international demand.