We have received the following review from Master Sommelier Shayn Bjornholm:
2004 Karl. H. Johner “Enselberg” Pinot Noir, Baden, Germany
From the screw cap enclosure to the use of Pinot Noir on the label (instead of Spatburgunder) to the 14% alcohol by volume, Johner is quite obviously not your grandmother’s German producer. Both the style and marketing of the wine display a modern approach to sate the seemingly unquenchable thirst for this grape in the United States – and what timing. Bravo! The wine is delicious, flat out. It reminds of something between a riper California Central Coast meets a 1er Cru Chassagne Montrachet rouge – rich, fresh, bursting red cherry/raspberry and purple flowers with tannins that are soft and round, with a hint of tea leaf earth and a restrained touch of exotic baking spice due to oak. For the money, a fine, balanced, perfect to drink now bottle of Pinot Noir.
Now as I’m in New Zealand at the moment I only have our German Label of the Wine here…