Domaine Albert Mann, Pinot Noir, Clos de La Faille, Alsace, France, 2020

Producer Profile

An amalgamation of two great winemaking families, the Manns, winemakers since the 17th century and the the Barthelmés, the current owners, winemakers since 1654.

In the heart of Alsace, this estate in Wettolsheim is ideally located for the production of the highest of quality wine and the vineyards include some of the most iconic of Cru. Biodynamic farming since 1997 the work and investment this winery has put in gives the wines its own identity and purest of expressions of the terroir.

Viticulture

This is the only Clos in Alsace planted with 100% Pinot Noir. The upper part of the vineyard contains rolled pebbles of pink Vosges sandstone, variegated sandstone and limestone sandstone. In the middle, there are fine-grained grey pebbles of shell limestone and yellow pebbles of Jurassic limestone. At the foot of the vineyard, there is a mixture of Vosges sandstone and white and pink quartz. The vines were planted in 1998.

Tasting Note

This has unique aromas for a Pinot Noir, cedar, smoke, cigar, leather and truffle as well as chocolate, then comes blackberry, cherry and plum. This continues on the the palate where it is joined with spice notes, cinnamon, pepper and juniper berry as well as some herbs such as mint and thyme. Powerful but very elegant.

Food Matching

Mushroom ravioli, roasted mullet or baked rabbit.