2021 Apostelhoeve Pinot Gris Barrique Louwberg Maastricht

This excellent Pinot Gris matured on small oak barriques from Dutch soil is made by vineyard Apostelhoeve from Maastricht, Limburg. A really nice Dutch topper!

The Hulst family has lived in and exploited the farm for many years. Originally a fruit-growing company, Hugo Hulst brought the vine to the Apostelhoeve in 1970. Hugo started with 25 acres as a trial. Thanks to the support of colleagues from France, Germany and Luxembourg and various wine-growing universities, the wines became a success. In an international wine panel test, the wines of the domain received international recognition: the three submitted wines received gold from an international jury.

Vineyard Apostelhoeve is now one of the most famous vineyards in the Netherlands, located south of the city of Maastricht on the Louwberg, in the extension of the Cannerberg on the west side of the Jekerdal. Currently, this beautiful winery has an area of 6 hectares that is used for viticulture. The grapes grow on a soil of pebble and marl with a layer of loess over it.

Under the warm humus-rich loess, the soil of the vineyards of Apostelhoeven contains several layers of marl (lime) and silex (pebble), typical ingredients for the taste of Apostelhoeve wines. most wines from Apostelhoeve are aged in stainless steel, but they have now placed eight wooden oak barriques on the domain for their toppers. This wine is bottled in strictly limited quantities as the 'Pinot Gris Barrique', a gastronomic delicacy. The wine has a very delicate taste but is full and firm in the mouth with nice fruit structures and refreshing acidity.