World-class Pinot Noir from Germany's Ahr Valley
On the night of July 14, 2021, after days of record-breaking levels of rain, rivers across Europe burst their banks. In Germany, terrible floods took place along the narrow gorges of the Ahr river valley. In the town of Rech, the bridge was swept away, vineyards were destroyed, and torrents of water hurled barrels around like ping-pong balls in the cellars of Jean Stodden. In the emotional days that followed, neighbours and friends descended on the cellar and helped Alexander Stodden save what he could.
Alexander Stodden proudly says, 'neither my father nor I ever planted a white vine'. His passion is Spätburgunder (the German name for Pinot Noir), and he takes inspiration from the great red wines of Burgundy. Stoddens have been making wine in the Ahr Valley since the 16th century. Their vineyards have a large proportion of very old vines.
After the flood, Alexander was ready to write off the whole 2020 vintage. But as he tasted through the barrels in his cellar, he discovered that some had survived in perfect condition. 2020 was a fabulous vintage in the vineyard, and Alexander was able to blend the surviving barrels to make three superb, vintage-specific cuvees. When we tasted these recently, we found them compelling. Pegel 735 is a reference to the height of the floodwaters; this wine is made from fruit from vineyards which since the night of the flood no longer exist. Rescued by H.O. Spanier is a cuvee dedicated to the fellow winemaker who helped Alexander save and identify the contents of the wrecked cellar. Alexander Die Grossen is blended only from Grosse Gewäch (great growth) level barrels, and is a truly world-class wine. /NT
Offered subject to remaining unsold, available Spring 2023
