Das Kreuz 2020
QbA Pfalz, Rings, 750 ml
| Grape variety: | Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot |
| Producer: | Rings |
| Origin: | Germany / Pfalz |
| Other vintages: |
Description
This deep Cuvee smells of cassis, redcurrant wood, white peppercorns, graphite, caraway seeds and crispy rye bread crust. After aeration, the fragrance of fine woods pampers the nose and ripe forest berry aromas and Mediterranean herbs come into play. An unbelievably dense, extract-rich wine with velvety, ripe tannins. On the palate, it presents itself with sour cherries, black olives, roasted coffee and cocoa beans and a hint of thyme. A power pack with spice, fruit and very long finish.
Attributes
| Origin: | Germany / Pfalz |
| Grape variety: | Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot |
| Label: | Vegan, Certified organic or biodynamic wine |
| Ripening potential: | 2 to 10 years |
| Drinking temperature: | 16 to 18 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Châteaubriand, Filet Wellington, Goulash, boeuf bourguignon, Roast saddle of venison, Rabbit ragout with olives, Hearty stew with pulses |
| Vinification: | fermentation in wooden barrel, long must fermentation |
| Harvest: | hand-picking with simultaneous grape sel, strict selection |
| Maturation: | in partly new and used barriques/ Pièces |
| Maturation duration: | 30 months |
| Volume: | 14.0 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
Merlot
Everybody’s darling
Merlot is the most charming member of the Bordeaux family. It shines with rich colour, fragrant fullness, velvety tannins and sweet, plummy fruit. It even makes itself easy for the vintner, as it matures without issue in cool years as well. This is in contrast to the stricter Cabernet Sauvignon, which it complements as a blending partner. Its good qualities have made the Merlot famous worldwide. At over 100,000 hectares, it is the most-planted grape in France. It also covers large areas in California, Italy, Australia and recently in Eastern Europe. The only catch is that pure Merlot varieties rarely turn out well. Its charm is often associated with a lack of substance. Only the best specimens improve with maturity. They then develop complex notes of leather and truffles. This succeeds in the top wines from the Bordeaux appellation of Pomerol and those from Ticino, among others.
Pfalz
Pfalz: Riesling meets Burgundy
Palatine winemakers manage the feat of vinifying top-tier crus from both white and red varieties. In addition, Riesling presents the same class here as Chardonnay and other Burgundy varieties. This versatility at high quality levels makes Germany’s second-largest wine region a trove of discoveries of all kinds. Tranquil winegrowing towns with a diverse range of culinary offerings and hotels make the Palatinate region a perfect wine travel destination.
Germany
Germany – Into the elite the hard way
Sitting in the heart of Europe, the hilly, lake-dotted landscape of Germany provides ideal, fertile soil for the most diverse vine varieties. From Albalonga to Zweigelt, over 140 different grape varieties are grown on about 100,000 acres, cared for by nearly 50,000 vintners. Most of these vintners are young, modern, internationally trained, inquisitive and urbane. It is hardly surprising, then, that German wine has a good reputation well beyond the country's borders.
