DOMAINE VALENTIN ZUSSLIN Pinot Noir 'Ophrys' Red 2021

"Ophrys has the capacity to rock every party and makes you keep going for a second glass, bottle or—"Encore! Encore!"—even another case quickly."

• Wine Region: Alsace - France
• Terroirs: Bollenberg
• Grape: Pinot Noir 60% - Pinot Gris 40%
• Color: Red
• Farming:Biodynamic & Natural

Ophrys is a shadow of cherry, an intimate orbit of red power. Ophyrs is named for the wild orchid, the bee orchid, that lives alongside the grapevines in the limestone terroir of Bollenberg. Lighter than any pinot but operating on more frequencies than any pinot noir as well. Marie and Jean-Paul make this wine by blending direct press pinot noir (no skin contact) and skin macerated pinot gris. The wine is then aged in wood tank. In the glass, it smells of cherry and wants to be eaten with some roast fowl, particularly peking duck.

Tasting notes: Elegant and delicate bouquet, with aromas of red fruits, spices, flowers and fine, silky tannins

About the Winery

Established in 1691 by M. Jodocus CISLE (former name of Zusslin), Domaine Valentin ZUSSLIN is now run by two generations of the Zusslin family who are following in the footsteps of their forbears. The winery is based in Orschwihr, south of Colmar, and the vines are planted on the slopes of the Bollenberg, Clos Liebenberg and Grand Cru Pfingstberg.

Since 1997, the estate has been run in its entirety according to the principles of Bio-Dynamic culture. The vines are mainly worked by hand and a significant amount of time is devoted to caring for the soil.

Awarded the Robert Parker Green emblem in July 2021.