2019 Günther Steinmetz Pinot Noir Mühlheimer Sonnenlay ***

Weingut Günter Steinmetz, one of the most renowned Mosel producers, is located in the heart of the German Mosel region and has been making wines based on terroir for generations. It is a family business, led by Stefan Steimetz (5th generation) and his wife Sammie since 1999. Stefan Steinmetz is known for producing wines that reflect the unique characteristics of his historic vineyards and is one of the icons of the Mosel region, which is also supported by (very) high ratings of his wines by the international wine press.

The Brauneberg vineyards are known for their steep slopes and unique slate soils, which contribute to the characteristic minerality of the wines. The combination of the cool climate and soil conditions ensures a slow ripening of the grapes, resulting in complex aromas and a refined acidity. Weingut Günther Steinmetz takes a traditional and sustainable approach in both the vineyard and the cellar. The grapes are harvested by hand and undergo spontaneous fermentation without the addition of commercial yeasts.

Origin: Mosel, Germany
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Style: Red – unfiltered, elegant, mineral and earthy

The Pinot Noir Mühlheimer Sonnenlay Unfiltriert from Günther Steinmetz is an exceptional wine that shows how refined and expressive Pinot Noir can be in the cool climate of the Mosel. Originating from the southern slopes of the Mühlheimer Sonnenlay vineyard, where the soil is rich in slate, this wine knows how to combine terroir and grape flawlessly.

This bottling is unfiltered and spontaneously fermented , meaning that the wine is fully developed without technical intervention. This allows it to retain its pure, natural character, with a cloudy sheen in the glass that indicates minimal intervention.

The nose reveals fresh aromas of cherries, raspberries, wild strawberries and subtle smokiness. In the mouth the wine is refined and energetic, with a fresh acid structure, a light, earthy grip and a mineral touch typical of slate soils. The tannins are silky, and the wine has a pronounced length and tension, without becoming heavy.

This Pinot Noir shows how elegant, lively and terroir-driven the grape can be in an unfiltered, natural style.

The Günther Steinmetz Pinot Noir Mühlheimer Sonnenlay Unfiltriert is a pure, unpolished and precise Pinot Noir with an expressive style that knows how to seduce both lovers of natural wines and classic Burgundy. A wine that does not hide its origins, and shines at the table next to dishes with finesse, earthy layers and elegant flavors. A true calling card for Mosel Pinot at the highest level.

Wine and food pairings

The combination of freshness, lightness, mineral depth and subtle earthiness makes this wine very suitable for gastronomic dishes in which refinement, spiciness or texture play a role.

1. Poultry and game birds with spicy accents
Think of guinea fowl with sage and lentils, duck breast with cherry reduction or quail with roasted parsnip. The wine enhances the aromatic character of the dish and remains elegantly present without being overpowering.

2. Mushrooms and autumnal vegetable dishes
Pasta with porcini mushrooms, risotto with chanterelles or grilled portobellos are ideal partners. The earthy notes in the wine perfectly match the umami in the dish.

3. Grilled redfish or tuna
Roasted fish with bite and a light smoky flavour pairs surprisingly well with this elegant Pinot Noir. Think tuna with sesame crust or redfish with herb oil.

4. Lamb or pork with Mediterranean herbs
Lamb fillet with rosemary, or pork rack with sage and garlic, go perfectly with the juicy texture and spicy finesse of the wine.

5. Soft to semi-hard cheeses
Tomme de Savoie, young Comté or a lightly matured goat's cheese enhance the delicate structure of the wine, while the acids freshen up the creaminess of the cheese.

James Suckling rated this wine with an impressive score of 95 points. Read the full wine reviews about this wine via the links next to the image. Free service for our Customers.

FACT: In the tab 'Attachments' you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send you this when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.

The *** (three asterisks) in the title Günther Steinmetz Pinot Noir Mühlheimer Sonnenlay Unfiltriert * indicate an internal classification of quality or selection within one vineyard or cuvée.

What do those stars mean?

At Günther Steinmetz (and also at some other German producers) the stars are used as a kind of quality indication based on selection . In short:

• No stars : Basic level or standard selection from a vineyard

• * (one star): selection of better grapes, often older vines or riper fruit

• ** (two stars): stricter selection, often higher concentration or lower yield

• *** (three stars): the very best selection , usually from the oldest vines, the best plots and/or the most intensive sorting — often in very small quantities