Pinot from Spain and Switzerland - What a combination!

Bodegas Miquel Gelabert Vi de Taule de Balears Vinya Des Moré Crianza 2002

This one is my second Pinot Noir from Spain (first one was Mas Borras 2002 from Torres) and once again it is a positive surprise. This Pinot Negro from Bodegas Gelabert doesn't belong to D.O. Pla i Llevant region because Pinot isn't covered by the wine law. Its colour was very dark for a Pinot. Its fragrance was similar to the Mas Borras. I could spot aged raspberries and very well balanced vanilla scents. Floral scents of hay flowers were present as well. Its taste was very dense, but not heavy or alcoholic at all. It was dominated by the taste of very ripe raspberries. In a certain way it had a quite sweet style, but not a sweetness which some New World Pinot Noirs demonstrate. Due to a very pleasent acid it appeared to be very well balanced. The new oak wasn't dominant at all. It showed a very classical performance. It surely was a very well made Pinot Noir and it was absolutely worth to try. I enjoyed it very much. Its price however is like most wines from Mallorca (respectively Pinot Noir from Spain) a bit too high (approx. 24 - 28 Euro).

 

Schlossgut Bachtobel (Hans-Ulrich Kesselring) Pinot Noir No. 2 2004, Thurgau

This Pinot Noir comes from the Kanton Thurgau in Northern Switzerland. The vinyards are relativly close to Lake Constance. It wasn't the first time for me to taste Hans-Ulrich Kesselring's wines. I am always amazed how he can create such impressive red wines in this region around Lake Constance which is normally only famous for its light white wines. In case of a blind tasting I always would bet that these Pinots might come from Volnay or Monthelie.

This Pinot Noir No. 2 was not heavily influenced by oak (800 l barrels) and could be described as medium bodied (12,5 % Alc.). Its colour was of a very intensive, quite dark, ruby red which persumably came from the Macération préfermentaire à froid (for normal 14 days). The fragrance of this wine was quite floral and showed notes of rasbperries as well as strawberries. The taste is still a bit tannic and slightly bitter. It was surely still too young. A pity, but I was too curious to keep it longer in the cellar. The acid was quiet well, which wasn't a surprise for the year 2004. This very fruity (in a mute fruit way) wine was characterized by various fruits dark berry fruits. But it wasn't modern fruity / sweet or heavy at all. It showed very dry and classical Burgundy features. I most certainly can recommend this wine to any Pinot Noir friend even though it might be a bit difficult to get Kesselring's wines outside Switzerland.