Valentin Zusslin : Pinot Noir "Bollenberg Neuberg" 2018

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the 2018 Pinot Noir "Bollenberg Neuberg" by Valentin Zusslin

Tasting

Colour

The colour displays a red hue characteristic of Pinot Noir.

Nose

The bouquet reveals remarkable intensity, with aromas of black cherries and perfectly ripe red fruits, interwoven with toasted notes and a chalky finesse typical of the Bollenberg terroir. Smoky and herbaceous nuances complete this aromatic palette, accompanied by hints of warm spices reminiscent of nutmeg and clove. The nose also unveils delicate notes of orange peel and tart cherries.

Palate

On the palate, this wine seduces with its silky texture and refined elegance. The intense, perfectly concentrated fruit is wrapped in very fine tannins and a delicate acidity that bring freshness and balance. Despite the generosity of the body and apparent maturity, the wine retains lovely freshness, while savoury notes and minerality enhance its appeal. The long, crisp finish stands out for its abundant minerality, characteristic of the Neuberg's limestone soils.

Food and wine pairing

This Pinot Noir pairs elegantly with a wide range of dishes. It goes perfectly with grilled fish such as sardines or mackerel, fish terrines, marinated salmon or Provençal-style tuna. It also enhances red meats, roasted poultry, grilled dishes, as well as spiced preparations such as couscous or lamb tagine. Hard cheeses also make an excellent match.

Service and storage

The 2018 Pinot Noir "Bollenberg Neuberg" is best enjoyed at a temperature of 18°C. This wine can be appreciated now while also boasting cellaring potential until around 2035, allowing it to develop further complexity over the years.

Other characteristics

This wine stands out for its fine tannic structure and its balance between phenolic maturity and preserved freshness, characteristic of the 2018 vintage in Alsace. Critics James Suckling and Wine Advocate awarded it scores of 94 and 93 points respectively, praising its noble and seductive expression.

An Alsace Pinot Noir Combining Chalky Minerality and Biodynamic Elegance from Domaine Valentin Zusslin

The estate

Established in 1691 in Orschwihr by Jodocus Cislé, a winegrower of Swiss origin, Domaine Valentin Zusslin has upheld a thirteen-generation family tradition for over three centuries. In 1997, Jean-Marie Zusslin converted the entire estate to biodynamic farming, certified by Demeter and Biodyvin. Since 2000, Marie and Jean-Paul Zusslin, representing the thirteenth generation, have run the estate with a philosophy centred on respect for living systems and the authentic expression of terroir. The estate cultivates approximately 16 hectares spread across three main terroirs in Alsace: Bollenberg, Clos Liebenberg and Grand Cru Pfingstberg, producing wines renowned for their spectacular qualitative progress over the past two decades.

The vineyard

The 2018 Pinot Noir "Bollenberg Neuberg" comes from the Neuberg lieu-dit, located on the eastern slope of the Bollenberg hillside, near Rouffach in Alsace. This plot is characterised by an extremely dry limestone soil, with a clay covering of less than forty centimetres resting on a limestone substrate. The eastern morning exposure favours optimal photosynthesis and gradual ripening of the grapes. This protected terroir, surrounded by the moorland typical of Bollenberg, represents the most characteristic expression of this site, renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. The estate practises rigorous biodynamic viticulture, incorporating dynamised preparations, the use of a draft horse for vineyard work, and the maintenance of rich biodiversity including sheep, bees and fruit tree plantations.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in Alsace is considered a great vintage for red wines. Climatic conditions made it possible to achieve exceptional phenolic maturity while preserving the freshness and acid balance necessary for the elegance of Pinot Noir. This year offered ideal conditions for producing concentrated, structured red wines with excellent cellaring potential.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the 2018 Pinot Noir "Bollenberg Neuberg" are hand-harvested with a rigorous triple sorting process, carried out both during the harvest and at the winery. Transported in small crates to preserve their integrity, they are then pressed pneumatically with extreme gentleness for over ten hours. Fermentation occurs spontaneously through indigenous yeasts, with no added oenological products. Aging takes place in oval oak vats from the Vosges on fine lees for approximately two years, allowing the wine to develop its aromatic complexity and silky texture.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir