Bernhard Huber Pinot Noir 2012

Description

Bernhard Huber winery is located in Malterdingen in the winegrowing region of Baden in the foothills of the Black Forest mountains in Germany’s deep south west. Pinot Noir has been cultivated in the village for well over 700 years, having been brought there from Burgundy by the Cistercian monks. About two-thirds of the 25 ha estate is given over to Pinot Noir, and from these vines Bernhard Huber made scintillating wines right up to his death from illness in June 2014. This gracious gentleman had taken pointers in the early days from his great friend Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac but never tried to make his Pinots taste like Burgundy, instead drawing on those ideas to express the sites around Malterdingen and surrounding villages.
Winemaking responsibilities have passed to Bernhard’s son Julian, who’s inherited his father’s passion for Baden and dedication to quality. Julian Huber grew up among the vines in Malterdingen, an apprentice to the “wizard of German Pinot Noir”, as Jancis Robinson’s German specialist Michael Schmidt referred to Julian’s father, Bernhard. Julian studied winemaking at the world-famous institute at Geisenheim in the Rheingau. He returned from his final year there to work Bernhard’s final vintage in 2013. Since Bernhard’s death in 2014, Julian’s taken up the winemaking mantle with aplomb, displaying the same humble energy and vision for which his father was rightly admired.  (Cellarhand).

Michael Schmidt, Jancis right hand man and German specialist at Purple Pages is a fan and said of Bernard Huber: “Comprehensive tastings of his wines not only convinced me that he was an absolute leader in Germany, but that he was a serious contender in the whole world of Pinot Noir.”  Joel B. Payne, chief editor of the Gault Millau German Wine Guide, called him a “universal genius”

92 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front … “Black cherries, almost grassy dried herb perfume and bunchy spice with a dab of creamy oak. Medium bodied, with a distinct, though hard to put into words, minerally feel – shale or slate or similar – to taste and texture, crunchy bright acidity, a tangy juicy herbal finish of good length, and a clear sense of definition throughout. Engaging and great to drink.”

“Bright dark crimson. Blueberry and black raspberry on the graceful nose, lifted by floral nuances. Succulent on the palate, with light mint and herbal traces to its dark berry flavors, this Pinot Noir finishes lean, with fine-grained tannins and pleasing length. Delivers surprising quality for the estate’s entry-level offering.”   88 points. Joel B. Payne, Vinous Media
RRP $53