Singular Wines of the Pfalz from Lukas Hammelmann
Singular Wines of the Pfalz from Lukas Hammelmann
The new release of wines from Lukas Hammelmann just arrived to New York and last week I was able to taste through the whole lineup, to say I was blown away could possibly be an understatement. It doesn't happen too often that you see a winemaker excel at making both white and red wines, but Lukas takes this a step further. He has mastered the growing of three different varietals (Riesling, Chardonnay, and Spätburgunder) that end up as both sparkling and still! Every single one of his wines has incredible energy, focus, and sense of place.
That sense of place leads you to the the cold, flat, wind-swept Rhein basin of the Pfalz to a town called Zeiskam. If this sounds a little lackluster, that's because this area of the region is actually more commonly home to potatoes and onions. After working in wine during the 2000s, Lukas decided to head home and created his own label in 2016. He started working 5 hectares organically (without certification) between Zeiskam and the neighboring village of Hochstadt. It has now been a few years of having Lukas' wines in New York, and the buzz just keeps growing. I am sure that once you try one (or all of his lineup) you will just keep coming back for more.
As fantastic as each wine was from the tasting, we have narrowed the selections down to some of our favorites! Featured today we have the first major sparkling wine release from Lukas in the form of Spätburgunder Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature. Upon first glance you would never have guessed that he hasn't been making sparkling wines for years! There is a duo of Chardonnays, the village level 'Z' and Roter Berg Grand Cru. The former reminded me of a Chablis in style while the latter could have been cos playing as village or even 1er Cru Meursault. There is a trio of some Spätburgunder, the Caesslin Blanc de Noirs a super delicious, easy drinking light white. With the 2023 vintage of Spätburgunder, Lukas decided to declassify the village level to his 'vom loess' and the Grand Cru Roter Berg into the village level 'H' both showcase pure red fruits with fine tannins and incredible energy. Rounding out this offer are three Rieslings, village 'H' and then two Grand Crus: Klostergarten and Wilhelm Friedrich!
The differentiation of H and Z on his village level wines show if the wine comes from Hochstadt or Zeiskam. Hochstadt is known for its limestone soils while Zeiskam contains sandstone with loess and loam. Villages and soils aside, the wines of Lukas Hammelmann are special. From an area of land that is known for potatoes and onions comes some of the best Riesling, Spätburgunder, and Chardonnay that Germany has to offer!
If you would like to read more on Lukas, our friend Stephen at Vom Boden has an incredible write up about him here.
-Hanna Krilov Cohen
Please allow until Wednesday, September 10th for pick-up and delivery
Change the "View as" style below to read MORE INFO on the wines, and click on a wine for the full tasting note!
All still wines discount 10% on a case or mixed case
Hammelmann, Lukas 2022 Spätburgunder Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature
Lukas' first major sparkling wine release made of Pinot Noir from Hochstadt. This is a incredibly pretty sparkling wine with notes of bright red berries, alongside a savory, salty finish. *Although the label says Extra Brut, it is in fact...
$49.99
Hammelmann, Lukas 2024 Chardonnay 'Z'
A village level Chardonnay from Zeiksam. He made 2, 300-liter barrels from Burgundy with a Tonneau from Bordeaux. The nose is full of lemon zest and lime juice. It has amazing lift and energy with a light, fresh finish. It...
$46.99
Hammelmann, Lukas 2023 Chardonnay Roter Berg Grand Cru
Roter Berg is the Grand Cru site from Hochstadt from vines planted in 1980. This is one of the best German Chardonnays I have probably ever had. It had an incredible light touch of reduction on the nose with a...
$79.99
Hammelmann, Lukas 2024 Riesling 'H' Trocken
Village level Riesling from the limestone-rich soils of Hochstadt. The wine has a beautiful aroma of peach, nectarine, and white flowers. There is a nice about of body, with great texture. A very pretty style of Riesling that drinks similar...
$46.99
Hammelmann, Lukas 2023 Riesling Klostergarten Grand Cru Trocken
Klostergarten is a Grand Cru from the village of Zeiskam. This is aged for an additional year in barrel, goes through complete malolactic fermentation and is bottled unfiltered. There is a beautiful floral quality here with notes of apricot and...
$59.99
Hammelmann, Lukas 2023 Riesling 'Wilhelm Friedrich' Grand Cru Trocken
Named in honor of his Grandfather, this is a Grand Cru site from Neustadt/Hambach up in the Haart mountains. Grown on Gneiss soils and aged for an additional year in barrel, goes through complete malolactic fermentation and is bottled unfiltered. This...
$83.99
Hammelmann, Lukas 2024 'Caesslin' Blanc de Noirs
A Pinot Noir vinified as a white wine that is light, playful and just fun to drink. There are aromas of red fruits with a citrus finish.
$28.99
Hammelmann, Lukas 2023 Spätburgunder 'Vom Loess'
As 2023 wasn't the best vintage for Spätburgunder, the village level was declassified into this vom Loess bottling. It is sourced from various plots in Hochstadt. The wine has a great balance of ripe fruit like cranberry and plum with...
$39.99
Hammelmann, Lukas 2023 Spätburgunder 'H'
A good, but not fantastic vintage for Pinot Noir had Lukas declassifying his Grand Cru Roter Berg ino this village-level wine from Hochstadt. Made with 30% whole bunches, this wine is incredibly lifted with strawberry, cranberry, and plum fruits. There...
$54.99
