2020 Jean Stodden Spätburgunder – Alexander Die Grossen

Produced by Weingut Jean Stodden in the Ahr Valley, this cuvée was created in response to the devastating 2021 Ahr Valley floods. As all the barrels got mixed up it was down to tasting each one, so think of this as a super blend, positioning the wine at a quality level comparable to the estate’s Grosse Gewächs-tier Spätburgunder. Tasting note: The wine shows a deep ruby hue, with a lifted and perfumed nose of wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry, layered with jasmine tea, sweet spice and subtle floral notes. Aromatically it combines spice reminiscent of Kräuterberg, breadth and gentle creaminess akin to Sonnenberg, and a mineral complexity associated with Herrenberg and Mönchberg. On the palate it is medium-to-full-bodied, with tight-knit, fine-grained tannins and a silky texture, driven by crisp acidity that brings tension and precision. Flavours of red berry fruit, delicate spice and light herbal nuance are underpinned by a distinct slate-derived mineral core. The finish is long, focused and structured, balancing elegance with depth. A refined and complete Spätburgunder, offering immediate aromatic appeal alongside the structure for long-term ageing, with the capacity to evolve gracefully over many years.