Tasting Note #23 – family business: Balzhäuser Chardonnay Spätlese 2013 & Weisser Burgunder Auslese 2013

I found the Balzhäuser wines pretty good, so I decided to feature my two favourites. I liked the slightly barrel aged whites most, it is just my thing when it comes to whites.

Name: Alsheimer Frühmesse Chardonnay Spätlese Trocken / Alsheimer Goldberg Weisser Burgunder Auslese Trocken
Producer: Dr. H. Balzhäuser
Region: Germany (Rheinhessen)
Type: white wine
Vintage: 2013
Variety: 100% Chardonnay / 100% Pinot Blanc
Vinification: steel tank & 6 months in big barrel (both)
ABV: 12.5% / 13%
Style: dry with app. 6g r/s & acidity
Seal: glass cork
Source: http://www.dr-balzhaeuser.de/balzhaeuser/unsere-weine.php
Price: 9€

Chardonnay
Spätlese quality Chardonnay from the vineyard ‘Alsheimer Frühmesse’, Rheinhessen, loess and clay terroir, made in big barrels and steel tank. Pale straw yellow, med body. Intense nose, ripe yellow stone fruit, touch of vanilla, maybe pineapple and pear (11.5/15). The palate is a little creamy, dense, fruity, with a solid acid spine, good concentration (11.5/15). Med body, very well balanced, not heavy (7.5/10). Fresh, mineral driven finish (7.5/10). A very good cool climate Chardonnay, nice bouquet and convincing taste, one of the lighter Chardonnays.
Overall: 11.5+11.5+7.5+7.5(+50) = 88/100

Weisser Burgunder
Auslese quality Pinot Blanc from the vineyard ‘Alsheimer Goldberg’, Rheinhessen, loess and clay terroir, made in big barrels and steel tank. Light golden-yellow, shiny, slow and oily.
Glass cork, pop&pour: a very fine & elegant nose, ripe pear & yellow stone fruit, herbal aromas, some spices (pepper), med intense (11.5/15). Subtle yellow stone fruit on the palate, hints of vanilla and pepper, fine & elegant, having great concentration at the same time (11.5/15). Med+ body, great balance between plenty of flavours and some refreshing acidity, not fat (7.5/10). Long, mineral driven finish, spicy and delicate (7.5/10). Very good!
Overall: 11.5+11.5+7.5+7.5(+50) = 88/100

Conclusion: I really liked both of them, in general their wines have a super qpr. Those two belong to the most ‘expensive” wines they have to offer.
Pairing: Salads with cheese, light poultry dishes, ‘Brotzeit’ (snack-time / sandwich-time)

Visiting Wineries #1 – Weingut Dr. H. Balzhäuser in Alsheim (Rheinhessen)

I recently visited the winery of Dr. H. Balzhäuser in Alsheim (Rheinhessen). Their winemaking history dates back to 1732. The Balzhäusers own about 10ha of wineyards in the region around Alsheim and have about 14+ different grapes in their portfolio. The terroir is dominated by loam (loess) and clay and are mainly oriented to the South. The focus is surely on white wine and on steel tank vinification. I met Julia Balzhäuser in their beautiful historical garden. I had the chance to taste some wines and have a chat with her. Later I visited Johannes Balzhäuser, he showed me their cellars, which are located at the foot of the nearby hills.

The winery has an impressive selection of grapes and styles, from sparkling over sweet wines to partly barrel aged red wines, also including rare, local and underappreciated grapes. All wines are tasty and very affordable, a true bargain. I mainly tried their whites, such as…

2014 Grüner Silvaner Qualitätswein trocken (10.5% abv, 5€)
fresh as an ocean breeze, very delicious and light summer wine with green apple, citrus and floral notes, well balanced acidity, drinking extremely well – 85/100p
2014 Grauer Burgunder Alsheimer Goldberg Spätlese trocken (12.0% abv, 7€)
aromatic Grauburgunder with pear, herbal notes and some spice, decent yellow stone fruit, elegant, a menu wine or have it with cheese – 87/100p
2014 Blanc de Noirs (Spätburgunder) Alsheimer Goldberg Kabinett trocken (11.5% abv, 6€)
fresh and mineral driven BdN, fine raspberry & strawberry notes, light and elegant, a very good menu wine I think – 87/100p
2014 Chardonnay Alsheimer Goldberg Spätlese trocken (12.5% abv, 7€)
fine spices & yellow stone fruit, some pineapple & nuts, pear, rather a slim & elegant Chardonnay, but it has that creamy texture that I like so much – 88/100p
2013 Chardonnay Alsheimer Frühmesse Spätlese trocken (partly in barrel, 12.5% abv, 9€)
everything a bit more intense than in the non-barrel Chardonnay, creamy & silky texture, fresh & still rather lean, good concentration, elegant – 89/100p
2014 Spätburgunder Weissherbst Alsheimer Frühmesse Kabinett trocken (11.5% abv, 6€)
awesome colour! raspberry, strawberry and floral aromas, very aromatic and refreshing, perfect summer sipping – 86/100

All of their wines are really good and the prices are very fair. I took some of their premium line wines and some reds back home – none of them cost me more than 9€. Check out their website and wines – they do ship! They are also a concert/opera/event location, for which they use their big courtyard. Please refer to their event calendar. Cheers!

Below are some impressions from their beautiful winery.