Pinot Noir - Wellenstein Foulschette

When Guy talks about his Pinot Noir from the Fouleschette site one immediately notices how closely connected he is to this wine. The vines stand on a slope near Wellenstein shaped by gray clayey Keuper a profound soil that holds water well and gives the vines much stability in dry years. "This is a soil that gives Pinot Noir strength without making it heavy" says Guy.​ The plantings are now well established stemming from a careful selection of clones he adopted from Burgundy and Alsace. "We wanted plant material that enables fine fruit forward Pinot styles." Most vines were planted around 2005 so the vineyard has reached an ideal age today not too young but not old strong enough to deliver depth and still vital. On Fouleschette about one and a half hectares of Pinot Noir grow complemented by small parcels of Pinot Gris and another variety that round off the site's character.​ The 2022 vintage matured for about nine months in barrique. Guy emphasizes he chooses oak use to provide structure but never dominate. "The wine should benefit from wood but not depend on it." In the glass this shows precisely a fine integrated wood note that carries the fruit not covers it. Especially the cherry fruit a hallmark of this site stands out clearly accompanied by delicate spicy nuances.​ Guy describes the 2022 as a Pinot Noir that is surprisingly accessible early. "It opens very nicely young" he says "with a soft friendly manner that still has depth." In contrast Pinot Noir from the top site Kräizbierg often needs several years of bottle aging to really blossom. Fouleschette 2022 shows its character gladly early. Climate change poses challenges for Pinot Noir explains Guy. Not every year allows top qualities. 2023 for example had no top category Pinot Noir 2024 only a very small quantity.​ He is all the more pleased about the balanced ripeness in 2022 "This is a wine that perfectly balances fruit and structure without heavy alcohol levels." For food Guy sees Fouleschette clearly with hearty but not too heavy dishes those that can take up its cherry fruit and fine wood tone. He particularly raves about combinations with grill aromas or lightly chilled enjoyment in summer. "This makes it incredibly versatile" he explains.​ That Pinot Noir Fouleschette 2022 runs particularly well in gastronomy and is often the first sold out there does not surprise Guy. "It is a wine that many like because it is honest. Fruit structure a touch of wood all there but nothing pushy." For him this Pinot Noir expresses work done with calm care and finesse and a site character that cannot be copied elegant red fruity accessible yet with the depth that keeps a wine exciting over years.