2012 Neuenahrer Sonnenberg Pinot Noir Grosses Gewächs

Long before other producers on the Ahr had begun to look across the border, Gerhard Stodden had viewed Burgundy as his source of inspiration. It took him a while to perfect his style, and for years his Pinot Noirs were often austere to the point of being bitter in their youth, but few today question that he is the best producer of the region. He died in 2013 at the age of only 64 while jogging in his vineyards. Fortunately for the estate, his son Alexander had already been working with him for several years, with the 2011 vintage being the first that bears his signature. The 2012s are even better, showing a quality level that the Ahr has never seen before in this breadth. Further, they are some of the finest Pinot Noir produced anywhere in Germany. While they are expensive, I am surprised that no importer has taken this estate to its heart.