Grand Cru Vorbourg

This Grand Cru (great classified growth) is protected by the two highest peaks in the Vosges mountain range (the Grand Ballon and the Petit Ballon). The site has an exceptionally sunny microclimate. The name "Vorbourg" is a corruption of Vorberg or foothill in German which describes the geography of the hillside, i.e. the first ridge of the Vosges foothills near Rouffach. Its clayey and chalky soil is composed of oolitic limestone with the lower slopes covered with loess deposits. The exposure is south to south-east (the Clos Saint Landelin is on the southern side of this hill).

When Bishop Heddon from Strasbourg founded the Ettenheim Abbey near Rouffach in 765, he also gave it the old traditional vines on the Vorbourg hill in Rouffach. The nearby Eschau Abbey also received some of the Vorbourg vines. All these records of donations and legacies refer to the secular vineyards around Rouffach. According to the historian Théobald Walter, almost every religious institution benefited from the work of the peasants who tended the vines and made the wine in Rouffach area.

The grape varieties elegantly express fruity aromas. This fruitiness harmonizes with the richness and depth of the wine. There is a balanced touch of acidy freshness. The continued sunshine in the late fall contributes to the development of botrytis, or noble rot, producing the famous late harvest and noble rot sweet wines.

Tasting notes of the Pinot Noir "V" 2001

Nice deep ruby colour.

Fine aroma of dark fruits, hot spices and clove.

The wine is characterised by a good presence, combined to smooth tanins. The volume is impressive. The aromas remind violet, pink pepper and fresh dark fruits. The aromatic crescendo is supported by a ripe acidity.

 The « V » represents the first letter of Vorbourg, name of the grand cru in Rouffach. The vines for this pinot noir are located in the grand cru Vorbourg. The only grapes permitted for the appellation grand cru are riesling, pinot gris, gewurztraminer and muscat. For this reason the wine cannot be called Vorbourg.

- Alcohol : 13.5 % / volume 

- Date of harvest : 04 / 10 / 2001

- Yield : 45 hl / ha