Vintage: 2023 Region: Franconia, Germany Grapes: Roter Traminer Alcohol: 12% This fascinating micro-cuvée is a highly limited production of just 300 bottles, sourced from a single vineyard of the Roter Traminer variety. Martin Hirsch essentially lets this tiny parcel grow wild, using no ploughing and minimal pruning, as an experiment to help the vines build their own natural resilience within a biodiverse setting. Following his low-intervention approach, the grapes are de-stemmed and fermented on the skins for five days before being pressed into old German oak barrels. The wine ages there for nine months before being bottled with absolutely no additions. While related to Gewürztraminer, the Roter Traminer strain offers beautifully delicate and nuanced floral aromatics. The nose delivers the lovely scent of rose petals, but with a restrained, never-cloying character. This sense of control carries onto the palate, which features a well-defined, chiselled mouthfeel and a fine tannic framework. Packed with originality and a fantastic sense of place, this rare bottle offers immense intrigue for those seeking something truly unique.
