2016 Binner Pirouettes Pinot Noir d’Hubert et Christian

Region: Alsace < France
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic Wine certification (ECOCERTsince 2014); 40+ year-old vines on gneiss soils; Grapes are hand harvested with a triage performed at the vines. Whole cluster fermentation for about 2 weeks, followed by manual pigeage. Elevage on the lees for one year and bottled, Unfined and unfiltered, with zero added sulfur;
Winemaker: Christian Binner

Les Vins Pirouttes is a project from Alsace’s leading natural winemaker, Christian Binner, to promote more + affordable natural wines from the region, and to help organic/biodynamic grape growers there move away from selling their grapes to cooperatives, towards making and bottling their own wines. Each Pirouettes cuvee is a partnership between Christian and a young Alsatian winemaker, who provide the grapes and the winery, while Christian teaches and helps them how to make world-class, low-intervention wines. Like this gorgeous, bright, cherry-spicy Pinot Noir, which nothing added, including so2. It’s like a pair of warm fuzzy slippers over thigh-high stockings – comfortable and familiar yet with a subtle, racy, edge. And so delicious, with juicy Marasca cherries, pine resin, cherry cola and zested orange peel. Serve slightly chilled and try not to gulp.