Felsenberg GG 2021 Rings

Die Lage Felsenberg liegt im hoch oben im Naturschutzgebiet Berntal, umschlossen von Kalksteinmauern. Die Winde des nahe gelegenen Pfälzer Waldes sorgen durch den „Kamin-Effekt“ des Tales für ein kühles Mikro-Klima. Die Reben stehen in einer ganz nach Süden ausgerichteten Hanglage, auf einem natürlichen Felsband aus tertiärem Kalkstein. Das Weingut Rings hat die gut 0,5 ha kleine Parzelle 2011 komplett renaturiert und mit Burgundischen Pinot Noir Reben neu bestockt. Die Lage ist seit 2018 als VDP.GROSSE LAGE klassifiziert. Die Trauben werden von Hand gelesen, im Weingut nochmals sortiert und per Hand abgebeert. Ohne Pumpvorgänge kommen die Trauben in ihre Holzgärbottiche, die „cuves“, mit einem Anteil ganzer, nicht abgebeerter Trauben. Nach einer kurzen Mazerationszeit vergärt die Maische spontan, mit natürlichen Hefen. Der Ausbau findet in neuen und gebrauchten Barriquesstatt, bevor er unfiltriert in die Flasche gefüllt wird. So entsteht ein Seidig-eleganter Pinot mit großer Länge. Mit diesem Wein nähert sich Rings der deutschen "Rotwein-Spitze".

Alcohol		13.0%
Vintage		2021
Volume		0.75l
Winery		Weingut Rings
Rebsorte		Pinot Noir
Vineyard		Felsenberg
City		Leistadt
Region		Pfalz
Country		Deutschland
Stored		12.10.2023

132.00 € / Bottle

176.00 € / Liter

1 bottles available

The vineyard Felsenberg

Site and landscape

Felsenberg is a vineyard site in Leistadt in the Pfalz. The site is located on the edge of the Haardt in the Felsenberg-Berntal nature reserve. The south-facing slope lies at about 220 metres above sea level and has a gradient of 25 per cent.

Soil and climate

The vineyard sits on a natural limestone band and is bordered by limestone dry-stone walls. The geological subsoil consists of tertiary limestone; the soil is described as weathered limestone with iron deposits. The elevated position and the proximity to the Palatinate Forest shape a cool climate.

Vines and cultivation

Felsenberg is planted entirely with Spätburgunder from Burgundy clones, which is also known as Pinot Noir. The almost forgotten, fallow area was cleared from 2010–2011, the dry-stone walls were restored and the entire plot was replanted. Around the vineyard, the vineyards are farmed organically and use, among other things, cover crops, mechanical weed control, compost, copper and sulphur.

Classification and wines

In Leistadt, Felsenberg is listed as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® with a classified area of 0.58 hectares; Rings is listed as a VDP producer. Rings describes dry Pinot Noir wines from the cool limestone layers of the northern Palatinate, with spontaneous fermentation and ageing potential. The grapes are hand-harvested and sorted in the cellar; red wines mature in French barriques and are bottled without filtration. A documented wine from the site is the Felsenberg GG.

About the winery

Location and Terroir

The Rings winery is in Freinsheim at the northern end of the Mittelhaardt in the Pfalz. The vineyards are located in Freinsheim as well as in the neighbouring sites Kallstadt, Ungstein and Leistadt. They lie at altitudes of about 90 to 260 metres, including south- and south-east-facing slopes.

The sites differ in terms of climate and geology: Kallstadt and Leistadt are considered cooler sites influenced by the Palatinate Forest, while Freinsheim is the warmest site. The soils range from loess, clay and sandy gravel to terra rossa, limestone and calcareous marl. The Felsenberg lies on a natural band of tertiary limestone in the Berntal nature reserve.

Vineyards and Grape Varieties

The winery is certified as EU-organic and, according to its own information, has worked organically since 2016. Its own vineyards are managed from vine pruning through to hand harvest. This includes, among other things, sowing cover crops, applying horse manure, manually removing double shoots and leaf work to improve airflow around the grapes.

The most important grape varieties include Riesling, Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and international red grape varieties. In the variety statement, each accounts for 25 per cent for Riesling and Spätburgunder, 10 per cent for Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc) and 10 per cent for Cabernet Sauvignon. The Felsenberg, which is fully planted with Spätburgunder, was restored and replanted in 2011.

Winemaking and Wine Style

The winery produces dry wines with spontaneous fermentation and describes them as an expression of their origin. Riesling and red musts ferment with natural yeasts. For ageing, traditional large wooden casks and stainless steel are used; the predominantly underground cellar, according to the winery, remains at around 12 to 14 °C and is naturally cooled.

The range includes Rieslings, Spätburgunders and cuvées from international grape varieties. For a documented Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), after hand harvest 70 per cent are fermented and aged in stainless steel and 30 per cent in 500-litre tonneaux; around 10 per cent ferment on the skins.

History

Steffen and Andreas Rings have run the business together since 2008. In 2015, the winery became a member of the VDP. In 2018, a new winery was completed in the Freinsheim wine site Schwarzes Kreuz.