WURTTEMBERG’S WEALTH OF INNOVATION
Senior Editor Stuart Pigott set off on a tasting trip to the German wine region of Wurttemberg, which he has long considered grossly underrated, and was pleased to find a wealth of winemaking ambition and innovation.
Another astonishing pinot noir was the Schnaitmann Spätburgunder Württemberg Lämmler GG 2021, which was extraordinarily elegant with a delicate sweetness at its heart. The super fine tannins and extremely long finish of cooked red beets and earth set the crown on this pinot masterpiece. However, Stuart preferred another wine from the great Lammler site, the Schnaitmann Lemberger Württemberg Lämmler GG 2020, which he found to be a deep well of forest berries, baking spice, wet earth and vanilla.
Schnaitmann Lemberger Württemberg Lämmler GG 2020, Württemberg - Score 96
The nose of this wine is a deep well of forest berries, the whole range of baking spices, wet earth and vanilla. Very concentrated, focused and elegant this medium to full bodied Lemberger is wonderfully fresh and vibrant with a compact finish that extend s way out there. With aeration a violet aroma develops, adding to the wine’s stunning complexity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Unfiltered. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Riesling Württemberg Beutelsbacher Altenberg EL 2022, Württemberg - Score 95
The lime blossom aroma of this remarkable Wurttemberg dry riesling pulls you into this extremely elegant, medium to full bodied wine that has the kind of depth we expect from top Alsatian wines combined with a stunning mineral freshness that powers the super long finish. Very limited production. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Sauvignon Blanc Württemberg Réserve Trocken 2018, Württemberg - Score 95
The spectacular smoky and flinty nose pulls you into this simultaneously compact and racy sauvignon blanc that has great concentration, textural richness and mineral energy. Very long, stony finish with wonderful energy. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Spätburgunder Württemberg Lämmler GG 2021, Württemberg - Score 95
Still youthful, but already extremely elegant and precise, with a delicate sweetness at its heart, this is a great German pinot noir that defies everything the weather threw at the grapes during this challenging growing season. Super fine tannins. Fascinating long finish with notes of cooked red beets and wet earth. From biodynamically grown grapes. Unfiltered. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Lemberger Württemberg Lämmler GG 2021, Württemberg - Score 94
This remarkable 2021 Lemberger has an enveloping nose of red fruits, summer flowers and green pepper. Still tightly wound and quite racy with stacks of mineral freshness on the medium bodied palate. Made for the long term and only just starting to open up. From biodynamically grown grapes. Unfiltered. Drinkable now, but best from 2026. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Lemberger Württemberg Simonroth 2021, Württemberg - Score 94
Stacks of allspice and clove, also sour cherry and lemon peel. This youthful, medium bodied Lemberger is very elegant with impressive concentration for the challenging vintage. Then the fine tannins build at the long structured finish in a way that reminds me a bit of cool climate syrah. Excellent aging potential. From biodynamically grown grapes. Unfiltered. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Riesling Württemberg Bergmandel Trocken 2022, Württemberg - Score 94
Complex nose of flint, wild herbs and lime. Super elegant with a wonderful interplay of flint, smoke and creaminess on the palate. The restrained acidity is easily enough to make this diamond bright at the long, intensely stony finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Spätburgunder Württemberg Simonroth 2021, Württemberg - Score 94
The aromas of this stunning youthful pinot noir expand and expand as it aerates in the glass. A very wide spectrum of red fruits, fresh herb character and savory complexity are wrapped around the fine tannins on the medium bodied palate. The acidity animates the very long and delicately earthy finish, which is dangerously energetic! From biodynamically grown grapes. Unfiltered. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Cabernet Franc Württemberg Simonroth 2020, Württemberg - Score 93
Here's a seriously structured, medium bodied cabernet franc that s been made for aging. Attractive juicy redcurrant and raspberry fruit with a touch of floral character, at once playful, elegant and velvety. From biodynamically grown grapes. Unfiltered. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Lemberger Württemberg Simonroth 2020, Württemberg - Score 93
A fragrant Lemberger with notes of violets and red fruits plus a delicate touch of baking spice. Very fresh and focused, this is an elegant medium bodied wine that s only just beginning to display its abundant spicy and savory character. Compact and long, moderately dry finish. A cuvee from three GG sites. Unfiltered. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
Schnaitmann Riesling Württemberg Götzenberg GG 2021, Württemberg - Score 93
Very distinctive smoky nose with notes of quince, candied orange and fresh almond. Full bodied, concentrated and compact, the finish crisp and mineral. Long structured finish that s deftly underlined by fine tannins. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigot
Schnaitmann Riesling Württemberg Lämmler GG 2021, Württemberg - Score 93
This imposing, full bodied dry riesling is smoky and earthy with plenty of caramel and leesy complexity on the compact, high structured palate. Long, firm finish with plenty of candied lemon energy. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Riesling Württemberg Schnait Trocken 2022, Württemberg - Score 93
Who says that dry Wurttemberg riesling lacks the expressive aromas of wines from the Rhine and Mosel? This is brimming with lime zest, grapefruit and fresh mint aromas! Concentrated for a medium bodied wine from this grape with a wonderful interplay of juiciness, crispness and fine tannins at the long finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Lemberger Württemberg Goldberg EL Rosé 2022, Württemberg - Score 92
This expressive, barely medium bodied Lemberger rosé marries bright nectarine fruit and smoky character to a citrusy freshness and a restrained spritz. Super refreshing finish although the acidity is moderate. Just 11% alcohol. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Lemberger Württemberg Steinwiege 2021, Württemberg - Score 92
Brimming with wild berries plus notes of licorice, pepper and soy sauce. Impressive depth and structure on the medium bodied palate for an entry level wine, the savory and elderberry character neatly interlocking with the fine tannins that power the long velvety finish. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Unfiltered. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Riesling Württemberg Bergmandel Trocken 2021, Württemberg - Score 92
Crisp and substantial with plenty of flint. The citrusy character is not just zesty, there's also a touch of bitterness that reminds me of orange pith. Bold, long finish that s still very refreshing. Very limited production due to mildew losses. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold. - Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Württemberg Bergmandel Grau Weiss 2022, Württemberg - Score 91
Here is a joyful and supple dry white that marries creaminess with white tree fruits and a discreet yellow apple freshness. Surprising structure and length, the harmony at the finish spot on. A blend based on 60% chardonnay with 35% pinot blanc and a few percent of skin fermented pinot gris. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vinified completely used oak. Vegan. Drink now. Stuart Pigott
Schnaitmann Sauvignon Blanc Bergmandel Trocken 2022, Württemberg - Score 90
Still very young on the nose, this already has an attractive balance of creaminess and mineral freshness on the palate. Quite weighty core of the medium to full bodied palate, then the well crafted fine tannins come through at the finish. Delicate white currant and lemon pith aromas. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vinified completely in used oak. Vegan. Drink now. - Stuart Pigott