2020 Kirchheim Steinacker Pinot Noir dry Weingut Gabel Pfalz 0.75l

2020 Kirchheim Steinacker Pinot Noir dry Weingut Gabel - Palatinate
single-vineyard wine

Origin:

The Gabel winery in Herxheim am Berg looks back on a long history. Founded in 1655 by Caspar Gabel, it is now run by Oliver Gabel, the 13th generation of the family. After years of training in Burgundy, Baden with Franz Keller, and at the Knipser winery in the Palatinate, his focus is clearly on the Burgundy varieties , which now account for around 70% of the vineyard area. Since the 1980s, the family has increasingly focused on organic farming, and since 2019 the wines have carried the organic label . The Steinacker is one of the coolest locations in Kirchheim, a stony, limestone-rich vineyard whose topsoil is characterized by thousands of limestone blocks. Here, the Pinot Noir grapes can develop more freshness, excitement, and elegance thanks to the longer growing season.

Expansion:

The vines at Steinacker were planted as a Selection Massale from Burgundy at a high planting density (8,000 vines per hectare) to reduce competition and increase aroma concentration. The 2020 vintage was selectively harvested by hand, partially fermented with whole bunches in wooden fermentation tanks , and then aged for 18 months in barriques . It was bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve the authenticity of the site.

Aroma & Taste:

The 2020 Steinacker Spätburgunder has a complex, still youthful bouquet , with notes of sour cherries, forest floor, and roasted brittle . On the palate, it displays grip and fresh acidity , combined with elegance and tension. Its cool origins bring precise fruit, taut minerality, and ample aging potential . A Pinot Noir that evokes Burgundy, yet is clearly rooted in the Palatinate region.

Food recommendation:

Ideal with braised veal cheek , pink-roasted lamb loin with herbs , or duck breast with red wine sauce . It also makes an exciting partner with earthy vegetable dishes such as roasted mushrooms or beetroot risotto . It shines as a sophisticated accompaniment to a meal, as well as on its own in a large Burgundy glass.

Special features of the 2020 vintage in the Palatinate:

2020 was also a warm and dry year in the Palatinate region, characterized by intense sunshine and low rainfall. While young vineyards suffered from drought stress, deep-rooted vines like those at Steinacker benefited from the calcareous soils. The harvest produced very ripe, aromatic grapes with moderate acidity . For Pinot Noir, this resulted in powerful yet elegant wines that are accessible even in their youth, but also possess good aging potential .

Conclusion:

The 2020 Kirchheim Steinacker Spätburgunder is a prime example of the Gabel winery's new, Burgundy-inspired style : mineral, cool, precise, and with great elegance. It showcases the strengths of the Steinacker terroir in times of climate change and underscores why Oliver Gabel focuses on Burgundy varieties. A wine with character, provenance, and staying power—and at the same time, a chapter in the winery's over 350-year family history .