Furst Burgstadter Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir)

In Germany, these wines enjoy the special status they deserve – over here in the UK they still fly below the radar. There are two main reasons that relatively few people know about this estate: the first is the modesty of both Sebastian Fürst and his father Paul, the actual pioneer who did so much to move German Pinot Noir forward. The second is the fact that these wines are never loud; they are tender, elegant, never over-oaked – so those who are out for showiness and easy grandezza will miss them.

A highly respected producer who crafts his impeccable range of Pinot Noirs in a beautifully nuanced and elegant style.  Renowned for making some of the most highly prized (and priced!) Spatburgunder in Germany, this version though allows you to taste, revel and enjoy in some of the most poised, fragrant and aromatic Pinot Noir found outside of Burgundy.

Expressive hints of red fruits, super fine perfectly integrated tannins and a clean mineral overtone. Class!

Bright cherry red in colour. The wine has an aroma of beautiful red currant and raspberry fruit. Earthy, delicate, refined and subtle on the bouquet. The palate is delicious, juicy with brilliant acidity and mineral notes with hardly any migratory tannin. Velvety is the right word here. The finish is long and intense with floral and earthy aromas that seem endless.

The Fürst family has been involved in viticulture since 1638. In 1975, whilst attending the Geisenheim school for viticulture Paul Fürst’s father, Rudolf, passed away suddenly. Paul immediately left his studies and at age 21 took over the estate to carry on the tradition in the cramped Fürst family residence in Bürgstadt. In 1979 Paul and his wife Monika started building a new estate on the outskirts of town. This included a new residence and state of the art cellar atop the Centgrafenberg vineyard. The new site provides breathtaking views of the Main river valley and the picturesque medieval town of Miltenberg. Under Paul Fürst’s tenure the estate has grown from six to 37 acres. The vineyard takes its name from the Bürgstadter Centgraf (Centgraf is the leader of a settlement of 100 people). Smaller holdings are in the Volkacher Karthäuser vineyard (7.5 acres) and the Grosshembacher Bischofsberg (2.5 acres). Work in the vineyards is done with great care. Treatment of the vines and soil is near organic and as close to natural as possible. Paul Fürst makes remarkably elegant wines for a region renowned for rusticity. He produces wines of many different styles. Paul Fürst’s big challenge are red wines. The western portion of Franken has always been producing a good quantity of red wine especially Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). The old, traditional style of Pinot Noir, was never mistaken for red Burgundy. This started to change in the mid-‘80s when Paul began experimenting with new vinification methods more akin in style to red Burgundy. His 1990 Pinot Noir was a breakthrough and helped establish the variety as a serious category in Germany.

"Lightish crimson. Sweet strawberry fruit. The aroma of strawberry jam but somehow not jammy because of the freshness. A slight touch of something rubbery on the palate. Spice too, and so fresh. Distinctive (warm) site shows. Long. The tannins super-smooth. 16/20 points. Drink 2019 – 2025." (Julia Harding MW, www.jancisrobinson.com, 7 May 2019)