Rebholz Im Sonnenschein Pinot Blanc Grosses Gewachs 2018
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Robert
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James
Suckling
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Typical for a wine from this vineyard side are smoky, spicy notes, created from the limestone. The vintage related balance between minerality and perfectly ripe grapes is expressed in a salty, mineralic type, which makes the wine really long lasting. The fully ripe completely healthy grapes from almost 40 years old vines together with our careful wine production and fermentation in stainless steel create this typical type of wine. The tension between ripeness, power, fruit, depth and mineralic acidity makes this wine so special. The wine has, like all Rebholz wines, a high aging potential.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The higher the wine quality, the less fruit you get if you have a Rebholz in your glass. The 2018 Im Sonnenschein Weisser Burgunder GG mixes ripe, bright fruit aromas with the dust of crushed limestone. This is pure and even piquant, and it won't be easy for all our readers to say clearly that this is not Riesling. There is more limestone here than any variety profile. On the palate, this is a wide, precise, fresh and elegant wine with a silky texture, very fine tannins and ripe acidity that leads the wine to an intense and elegant, lush and stimulating finish with well-hidden power. This is an insane Pinot Blanc, indeed, and it's terribly long and salty. It's highly recommended as one of the world's finest Pinot Blancs. Tasted in January 2020.
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James Suckling
Subtle mineral and herbal notes are swept up by immaculate nectarines and loquat. Medium-to full-bodied with a medium-oily core of stone and green fruit and pretty acidity. Crunchy and medium-long on the finish. Drink now.
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The Rebholz estate, in the southern Pfalz region of Germany, is a pioneer in organic and natural winemaking. The estate has been certified organic since 2005 and practicing biodynamic since 2006. However, even as far back as 1951, Eduard Rebholz (1889-1966), who received the title Ökonomierat, an honorary title conferred upon a deserving agriculturist, was commenting on his natural approach: "You will receive only natural wine from my cellar, wine that is the result of intense and loving cultivation of the vines and of similar vinicultural methods (no chaptalization, no artificial addition of a Süßreserve or similar fundamental structural changes that alter the native character of the wine and, in my eyes, mean that it is no longer a natural product."
This tradition continues with the current generation; Birgit and Hansjörg Rebholz together with their children Hans, Valentin and Helene work as close to nature as possible. In an effort to promote a healthy ecosystem and to protect the environment, they forgo the use of herbicides, synthetic fungicides and mineral fertilizers. They use only organic and biodynamic techniques and materials that promote healthy plants, helping the vines grow strong and prosper naturally. While these methods involve more time and effort, it is a price they are willing to accept in order to best protect and preserve the biodiversity within their vineyards
The earliest recorded history of winegrowing by the Rebholz family in Siebeldingen dates back to 1632. From beer brewer to village mayor, family members have held a wide range of titles over the years. The single constant: always at least one winemaker in the family. Around 100 years ago the Rebholz clan took the estate house, first built in the 16th century, as their family home. The Rebholz family only began bottling their wine following the Second World War, as an alternative to delivering entire barrels to local inns and restaurants.
Approachable, aromatic and pleasantly plush on the palate, Pinot Blanc is a white grape variety most associated with the Alsace region of France. Although its heritage is Burgundian, today it is rarely found there and instead thrives throughout central Europe, namely Germany and Austria, where it is known as Weissburgunder and Alto Adige where it is called Pinot Bianco. Interestingly, Pinot Blanc was born out of a mutation of the pink-skinned Pinot Gris. Somm Secret—Chardonnay fans looking to try something new would benefit from giving Pinot Blanc a try.
This sunny and relatively dry region served for many years as a German tourist mecca and was associated with low cost, cheerful wines. But since the 1980s, it has gained a reputation as one of Germany’s more innovative regions, which has led to increased international demand.