Ökonomierat Rebholz | Pfalz | Spätburgunder Im Sonnenschein GG | 2018 | 750ml | bio

Description

Product description for Ökonomierat Rebholz Spätburgunder Im Sonnenschein GG 2018 (bio)

Information about the site

While most of the vineyards along the Haardt edge, the transition from the Rhine plain to the Palatinate Forest, were formed as east-facing slopes by the Rhine Graben, which runs from south to north, there are also south-facing slopes in the Queichtal valley, which leads from the Palatinate Forest into the Rhine Valley. This “Siebeldinger Sommerseite” (Siebeldinger Summer Side) has the site designation “Im Sonnenschein” (In Sunshine). The vineyards lie 160 to 225 m above sea level and have a slope gradient of 5 to 20%. The old names of the vineyards: “Am Berg” (Am Berg), “Auf’m Berg” (Up on the Mountain), and “Stockwingert” (from limestone stock) describe the Burgundy von Rebholt plots very well. Located at the highest point of the site, these plots are the most barren and rockiest in the area. This wine comes from plots with vines up to 60 years old on the south and southwest slopes. Due to the subsidence and faulting of the Rhine Graben, as well as the significant uplift of the Palatinate Forest, very diverse soil conditions can be found around Siebeldingen. The parcels of the VDP.Große Lage “Im Sonnenschein” (Im Sonnenschein) stand on shell limestone soil from the Triassic period (220 million years ago). The limestones are marine sediments in which fossils of marine flora and fauna are repeatedly found. Limestone soil is the ideal prerequisite for all the world’s great Burgundy / Pinot Noirs!

Information on the Vineyard Production

Healthy, ripe grapes were the key prerequisite for this great red wine. After selective hand-picking, the grapes were destemmed. The mash is kept cool until spontaneous fermentation begins. This “cold maceration” is intended to bind as many Pinot Noir and site-specific aromas as possible before fermentation. During the subsequent mash fermentation, the aim was to preserve the varietal freshness and fruit, while also extracting the necessary substance and complexity from the grape skins. This goal requires individual care and repeated checks of the fermentation vessels. The pressing time is also determined individually for each vessel. This time often arrives after just under three weeks. The coarsest lees are separated through natural sedimentation before the 19-20 months of storage in barriques. During the almost two years of storage, biological malolactic fermentation also occurs spontaneously. Thanks to the now 30 years of experience in working with French barriques, a balanced ratio of various manufacturers from Austria and France, oak woods from Germany and France, and various fillings is selected to support the wine but not dominate it.

Colour

Muted cranberry red with violet highlights towards the rim.

Nose

The 2018 Spätburgunder “im Sonnenschein” GG presents itself with beautiful, seductive fruit: wild raspberry, sour cherry, sweet and ripe blackberries combine with violets, roses and wild herbs such as thyme, tarragon and boxwood. Fine tobacco and cedar wood notes point to the skillful aging in wood and its striking minerality is ever-present.

Palate

On the palate it presents itself with the same fruit as in the nose and with a fresh acidity and the stimulating herbal notes that we already perceived in the aroma. Its tannin structure appears robust and polished at the same time. A Burgundian and earthy representative, the absolute premier class of German Spätburgunder, can be drunk now, but it can certainly rest a little longer.

Copyright Vinaturel 2025

Keywords: Ökonomierat Rebholz Spätburgunder Im Sonnenschein GG 2018 bio Pfalz Germany

Wine Advocate

Score: 90+?

The 2018 Im Sonnenschein Spätburgunder GG is very ripe, dense and intense in its sweet, slightly oxidized fruit, but it also remains fine and elegant. Silky, juicy and spicy on the palate, this has firm tannins but a rather irritating oxidation that takes the focus away from the wine. Is this a representative bottle? I will try another one when I get the chance. Tasted in Wiesbaden at the Vorpremiere VDP.Grosses Gewächs in August 2023.
Stephan Reinhardt

Vinous

Score: 92

The 2018 Spätburgunder Siebeldinger Im Sonnenschein Grosses Gewächs is the current release, made in one-third each of new, second and third-use barrels and released with bottle age. There is a slight lift of ripeness and evolution alongside smoky cured meat and a sense of chalkiness. The juicy palate holds the beginnings of evolution with a touch of maple syrup spice, but the plate is silky and smooth with swishing, red cherry juiciness and fine tannin. This is rather seductive, not overdone, with a slight echo of smoke. The difference between the nose, which speaks of evolution and ripeness, and the palate, which speaks of juiciness, is arresting. The hot year does show in the fruity power. (Bone-dry)
— Anne Krebiehl MW
Drinking window: 2023 – 2030
Review date: Dec 2023

Producer website: https://www.oekonomierat-rebholz.com/en/