Grand Cru Pinot Noir ‘Im Grossen Garten’ GG 2017, Knipser

This wine is stupendous! Vibrant cherry juice appearance. Fabulous aromas, with masses of concentration – black cherry liqueur, liquorice, black truffle, toasty oak, grilled steak, fresh leaves and the scent of hot tarmac just after a summer rain shower. Before you even taste it, you can tell that this is an awesome Pinot, reminiscent of Grand Cru Burgundy – Mazis-Chambertin, perhaps – from a ripe vintage. Taking a sip confirms the expectations set on the nose. Yes, it is rich and ripe, but at the same time it has real tightness and focus. It’s controlled and defined; precise, while being irresistibly delicious. Marvellous! It has a fine, velvety, dense, packed tannin structure, and balancing acidity that holds everything together without getting in the way. This is an utterly great bottle of wine now, but there seems no reason why it couldn’t keep another 7-10 years.