Description

Twelve months of barrique ageing gives the wine a smoky depth and a nice touch of earthy tannins. This is very grown-up Pinot Noir for the price, and an excellent wine for everyday dining.

ounded in 1756, in the Pfalz region of Germany, the J.L. Wolf estate (now called Villa Wolf) was a successful and highly regarded winery for more than two centuries. It entered an especially glamorous era with the construction of its Italianate estate house and villa in 1843.

The Pfalz (aka ‘the Palatinate’) is the wine growing area that lies between the Haardt Mountains and the Rhine River in southwest Germany, directly north of France’s Alsace region. As in Alsace, the mountains protect the area from cold and wet Atlantic weather, making it one of the warmer and drier areas of Germany.

Because of this unusually warm and dry climate, surprising things, such as almonds, figs and lemons are grown in this region, which is known to tourists as “the Tuscany of Germany.” Naturally, wine grapes also do quite well here where it is possible to achieve full ripeness in every vintage.

Since 2011, the estate has been managed by a talented and dedicated young couple who met while working at Dr. Loosen. Patrick Moellendorf and Sumi Gebauer have brought renewed energy and focus to the viticulture and winemaking at Villa Wolf.