2022 Keller Pinot Noir "Reserve" 

It's been quite a week for many of us.

Taking politics off of the table, the potential for incoming wine tariffs with the new administration is something of an existential crisis for the wine, retail, and hospitality industry as a whole. It's safe to say that a lot of us are downright scared.

But as my midwestern mother-in-law would say, don't borrow trouble.

So for the moment let's exhale, smile, and focus on some good things, some beautiful things. We are not offering any of the bottlings in the photo above; what I like about the picture is Felix's smile, the ease and obvious joy. This is the vibe I'd like to focus on today.

What we are offering today is a very tiny parcel of what may be the most impressive German Pinot Noir you have ever had?

This is not an inexpensive bottle, but it is a bottle that over-delivers, at nearly every level. The grapes here are sourced from 25-year-old vines mostly in the limestone-riddled, legendary Morstein vineyard (!), yet with some grapes also from their other two, historic Pinot Noir Grand Crus: Bürgel and Frauenberg. (For some context, the top Morstein Pinot Noir Keller makes - the Morstein "Felix" - is impossible to find and hovers somewhere in the vicinity of four figures.)

The 2022 "Reserve" has, well, everything: depth and complexity, a floral, red-fruited juiciness, yet it is also fine, clear with a mouthwatering energy, great structure and length. What I love about the wine is its balance, its proportion, its ease and perfect seamlessness.

I've talked with Klaus Peter for many years about the 2022 reds; it is his strong conviction that this is likely the best vintage for Pinot Noir in Germany over the last few decades. Part of this was the warm and dry weather, the general outline of the vintage. But an important part, I think, is the growing knowledge, experience... the touch and feel of the growers working with Pinot Noir.

They have learned the strengths of their cool-climate landscapes; they have learned restraint.

If you are really tasting contemporary Pinot Noir - I mean really tasting - then there is just no denying German Spätburgunder. The market will catch up, there is no question.

Thank you as always for your passion and support!

Stephen and Robert

This offer is now closed. If you need help finding the wines please email orders@sourcematerialwine.com.