Becker Estate Pinot Noir 2019

Tasting Profile
Translucent garnet red with ruby highlights, this elegant German Pinot Noir offers refined aromas of red cherries, wild strawberries, and forest floor complemented by delicate hints of violet, clove, and subtle earthy notes. The palate presents bright red fruit flavors of cranberry and red currant balanced by nuanced touches of mushroom, dried herbs, and soft spice. Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and silky tannins that provide gentle structure while maintaining the variety's characteristic finesse, culminating in a long, mineral-driven finish with lingering notes of red berries and a touch of sweet spice.

Winemaker Notes
Crafted by the Becker family at their historic estate in the Pfalz region, this Pinot Noir (known locally as Spätburgunder) represents Germany's evolving approach to red wine production. The grapes are hand-harvested from sustainably farmed vineyards on limestone-rich soils that provide optimal growing conditions for this delicate variety. Following careful selection, the wine undergoes traditional fermentation and aging in a combination of large neutral oak casks and smaller French oak barrels for 10-12 months, allowing for gentle maturation that preserves the wine's varietal character while adding subtle complexity.

Vintage Notes
The 2019 vintage in the Pfalz region provided excellent conditions for Pinot Noir, with warm summer days balanced by cool nights during the ripening period. This diurnal temperature variation contributed to ideal phenolic development while preserving crucial acidity, resulting in wines with exceptional balance between fruit expression and structural elements that beautifully showcase the region's distinctive terroir.

Suggested Pairings

• Roasted duck breast with cherry sauce
• Wild mushroom risotto
• Grilled salmon with herbs
• Charcuterie and mild aged cheeses
• Traditional German dishes like Zwiebelkuchen

Technical Details

• Region: Pfalz, Germany
• Classification: Qualitätswein
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder)
• Alcohol: 13.0% ABV
• Aging: 10-12 months in neutral oak casks and French oak barrels
• Contains sulfites

Cellaring
While approachable now, this wine will continue to develop complexity for 5-7 years, with well-stored bottles potentially evolving further as tertiary characteristics emerge.