2018 Assmannshausen Spätburgunder La Premiere Q.b.A. Saalwächter, Rheingau

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: This Pinot comes from the other side of the Rhine River from Assmannshausen's highest vineyards, which are up to 70% steep and on pure slate terroir. The 2018 Assmannshausen La Première opens with a fascinating pure, complex and spicy, multilayered bouquet of red fruits, crushed crystalline rocks, flowers, herbs and toasted oak. Coolish, crystalline and refined on the palate, this is a tight yet elegant as well as tensioned Pinot with lots of spices, drive and energy on the straight and refreshingly dry and crisp finish. This is a serious and finessed Pinot Noir with finely grained tannins (30% whole clusters) that matches with many dishes every day. It's still young but already a great drinking pleasure for lovers of puristic wines. Stimulating astringency. Tasted in November 2020. - Stephan Reinhardt, März 2021