Christoph Wolber one half of the Wasenhaus team in the vines in Baden. (Photo Courtesy of Vom Boden)

Wasenhaus - Pure and Precise Pinots from Baden

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It almost sounds like a nerdy wine joke: two Germans walk into an oenology school in Burgundy and after striking up a friendship decide to make the best Pinots in Baden. Except, this did happen. The pair met in school and after working in vines and cellars of the top domains in Burgundy including Comte Armand, Leflaive, Pierre Morey, and De Montille, started a small estate in Baden dedicated to producing the finest Pinots (both Weissburgunder and Spätburgunder) in the region with distinctive old-clone parcels of old vines. The operation is tiny with just 1.33 hectares. The estate's various parcels are comprised of limestone, clays, loam, loess, gravel, and volcanic soils. They supplement their small holdings with bought-in grapes from organic neighbors.

The whites are pressed whole directly into neutral barrel, and age on the fine lees (as reported by their importer), there is a moderate addition of sulfur after malolactic fermentation occurs. The wines are bottled without filtering or fining. The reds see varying degrees of stem inclusion and are fermented (except for the Nouveau) in open top vats then aged in mostly neutral barrel.

The whites are bright, mineral, layered, and long. The reds are precise and filigreed, with pure fruit enrobing serious soil notes. With oak and sulfur kept to a minimum there is a startling clarity and detail to the wines, and each is a luminous expression of its variety and terroir. Sadly, as with Burgundy, quantities are miniscule. John McIlwain

No Longer Available

Wasenhaus 2019 Baden Gutedel

From 30 year-old biodynamically farmed vines. 50% direct pressed into barrel, 50% of the grapes fermented on the skins. Weighs in at a mere 10% abv. Pale golden robe. Upon opening there's just a touch of reduction on the nose giving way to aromas of pear skin, white apricot, and bee pollen. The palate is dry and savory with yellow fruits, a fresh stony component and the faint hint of a prickle to it. There is good texture and cut here without the blowsiness of some Chasselas/Gutedel/Fendent. The balance between splashy freshness and the more sapid notes is both agreeable and delicious. John McIlwain

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $31.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Wasenhaus 2019 Baden Gutedel 1.5L

From 30 year-old biodynamically farmed vines. 50% direct pressed into barrel, 50% of the grapes fermented on the skins. Weighs in at a mere 10% abv. Pale golden robe. Upon opening there's just a touch of reduction on the nose giving way to aromas of pear skin, white apricot, and bee pollen. The palate is dry and savory with yellow fruits, a fresh stony component and the faint hint of a prickle to it. There is good texture and cut here without the blowsiness of some Chasselas/Gutedel/Fendent. The balance between splashy freshness and the more sapid notes is both agreeable and delicious. John McIlwain

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $79.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Wasenhaus 2018 Baden Chardonnay Filzen

White yellow robe. Light to medium weight. The nose offers aromas of sea spray, key lime, lemon blossom, crushed herbs, and chalkboard. The palate is racy, with citrus zest, gooseberry, russet apple, and pear skin flavors with a dusty chalkiness that is more akin to Coteaux Champenois than Meursault. It shows the more architectural, even cerebral profile of the grape, rather than the rich supple side. It makes one wonder if Chardonnay doesn’t still have a thing of two to show us. Quite nice with roast poussin, Swiss chard gratin, and honeynut squash, though I might save the next bottle for a skate wing with brown butter, or even wine-steamed mussels with lots of herbs.John McIlwain

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $74.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Wasenhaus 2018 Baden Weissburgunder

Organically farmed Weissburgunder from loess and  volcanic soils on the Kaiserstuhl. Whole cluster pressed. Aged for 12 months in neutral barrel, followed by 6 months in stainless steel with minimal sulfur addition after malolactic fermentation, per importer.

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $49.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Wasenhaus 2018 Baden Weissburgunder 1.5L

Organically farmed Weissburgunder from loess and  volcanic soils on the Kaiserstuhl. Whole cluster pressed. Aged for 12 months in neutral barrel, followed by 6 months in stainless steel with minimal sulfur addition after malolactic fermentation, per importer.

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $119.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Wasenhaus 2018 Baden Weissburgunder Möhlin

What may be the only grand cru Weissburgunder! From 60 year-old vines from the limestone terraces of Ölberg. Whole cluster pressed, aged in used barriques. Per importer.

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $114.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Wasenhaus 2018 Baden Spätburgunder

Organically farmed Pinot Noir from 25 year-old vines, from different soils and orientations across the Kaiserstuhl;south of Staufen. Hand harvested and pressed 10% whole cluster. Fermented in open top vats and aged in neutral oak barrels.

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $47.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur

Wasenhaus 2018 Baden Pinot Noir Bellen

If the Baden Spätburgunder is the equivalent of village level wine, the Bellen bottling is their version of a grand cru. Made in tiny quantities (much like all of their releases), this is sourced from a single steep vineyard site in the Kirchberg comprised of limestone soils. 40% whole cluster

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $119.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur
  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $134.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur