Weingut Riffel Binger Pinot Noir ‘Mariage’ Trocken 2022

Vibrant and fresh flavours leap out of the glass. From the southern slopes this wine was a wonderfully velvety texture, derived from the calcium rich soils. There is a wonderful marriage of fresh and earhty notes which are couples with some lovely fruity concentration thanks to the southerly exposition that shows why Germany is now making some of the best Pinot Noirs money can buy.

“The history of Riffel is typical of a winery in Rheinhessen. Erk Riffel became a partner in the business with his father in 1991, converting tit from a mixed farm to purely viticulture. After his father retired in 2005, Erik and his wife Carolin began working organically; achieving full certification in2012, they then began working biodynamically. The first vintage or Mariage, the 2003, commemorated their wedding that year, and it has been made every year since. It’s aged exclusively in older barrels so that the fruit can fully develop its bouquet. ”
95 Points, Decanter (individual decanter tasting notes below)
Panel Tasters:
CM: Classic and Elegant, an open style with lots of fruit and spice from oak ageing. Balanced and highly concentrated without being excessive. Silky Tannins, good acidity, beautifully polished. Lots of potential.
MD: Rich and spicy with flattering fruits, quite fine and easy to taste. Lots to like here.
SN: Structured and pretty. Full bodied, good grip with a slight herbal undertone and good mineral backbone. Lively palate with a good fruit element showing a more delicate side.

“The 2022 Pinot Noir Bingen Mariage is from two parcels bordering the Scharlachberg, on a conglomerate of quartzite and sandy loess. Matured for one year in used 300-liter barrels, it opens with a lovely nerve of reduction that plays flintily on the nose. Smoky crushed berry notes follow. Enlivening, aromatic and uplifting, the palate has a gorgeous overtone of conifer that underlines the fine, delicious crunch of tender tannins. This is a light but pure Pinot Noir that strikes a lovely balance and brims with tender forest fruit. (Bone-dry)” 2024 – 2034
90 Points, Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous, August 2024

The inaugural 2013 vintage was the wedding wine of Carolin and Erik Riffel and has been produced since then, always sourced from the same parcel of large, loose-grape Freiburg clone 12L planted by Erik. The juice for the Mariage is reduced by around by 30% (saignée) to get the right concentration. The must was fermented with 30% whole clusters and aged in old barriques for six months.