This April, Domaine Amelie & Charles Sparr have presented to us a remarkable collection of Pinot Noirs from Alsace, rivalling those of Burgundy. Today I am excited to pass on these carefully crafted wines on to you with their whole 2022 range rated at over 94 points by James Suckling.
While Pinot Noir has a long history in Alsace, the approach taken by Amelie & Charles to utilise top sites like Mambourg Grand Cru for grape cultivation represents an exciting evolution in winemaking. They now offer 5 distinct styles of Pinot Noir, starting with the accessible Carpe Diem and progressing to the more complex Jardin d'Eden cuvees sourced from Altenbourg and Vogelgarten, showcasing terroir in an elegant manner with a "crescendo finish at once powerful and lively".
Their premium wines include the highly praised Montagne des Roses, described as having "phenomenal energy" and awarded an impressive 98 points by James Suckling. At the peak is Amour Interdit (Forbidden Love), a powerful Pinot sourced from 60-year-old vines at Grand Cru Mambourg - a wine that should not be overlooked due to its structure and depth reminiscent of Volnay nuances.
Quench your Pinot Noir needs with this red wine selection crafted by Amelie and Charles Sparr, while also exploring their exceptional Rieslings available for purchase alongside these exquisite offerings below.
TASTING NOTES
CARPE DIEM PINOT NOIR 2021
Complex floral and rooty nose. This medium-bodied pinot noir is not enormously concentrated, but has wonderful textural complexity and finely-nuanced sour cherry fruit. Cranberry freshness at the crisp and delicate finish. A cuvee of wines from the Altenbourg and Rosenberg sites. Matured in Stockinger barrels with 0% new oak. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. 91 points - James Suckling.
PINOT NOIR "JARDIN D'EDEN" VOGELGARTEN 2022
From vines planted in 2006. 100% whole-bunch fermented, then aged in piece and one feuillette. Only magnums were bottled.
What a fragrant nose this Alsace pinot noir has. Wild herb, liquorice, and sour cherry notes cascade over you. Very concentrated and elegant, with its power deftly underplayed. Very long, dynamic finish that’s dense and uplifting. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. 96 points - James Suckling.
PINOT NOIR "JARDIN D'EDEN" ALTENBOURG 2022
From vines planted in 2013 to a massal selection from Clos des Epenots in Pommard. 100% whole-bunch fermented, then aged in one 500-litre barrel.
Complex, youthful nose of flint and raw meat with notes of dried strawberries and wet leaves, the fruit expanding as the wine aerates. Stunning concentration with plenty of fine tannins that are already beautifully integrated. The crescendo finish is at once powerful and lively. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. 94 points - James Suckling.
PINOT NOIR "MONTAGNE DES ROSES" 2019
The darkest amarena cherries pour from the glass of this extravagant but beautifully balanced pinot noir. Those fruit aromas sit on the summit of a mountain of fine tannins, and from there you look out across the expanse of the Rhine rift valley. Impressive richness and concentration, but also wonderful length and silkiness. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. 94pts - James Suckling. (2020 review)
PINOT NOIR "MONTAGNE DES ROSES" 2022
Incredibly concentrated and structured, also fragrant and mysterious. This Alsace pinot noir masterpiece pulls you back to it again and again, and each time there’s something new. The mineral acidity gives this a phenomenal energy in the super-long finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. 98 points - James Suckling.
PINOT NOIR "AMOUR INTERDIT" 2021
A powerful and seriously structured pinot noir with impressive concentration for the difficult vintage. Tons of rooty depth and a very healthy tannin structure. The finish is long and harmonious with subtle chalky character. 93pts - James Suckling.
PINOT NOIR "AMOUR INTERDIT" 2022
You could easily mistake this for a top Volnay 1er cru. Deep nose with stacks of sour cherries plus a touches of black pepper. Great concentration and weight, but the ample tannins are very fine. Stunning length, the finish still compact but bright enough to lift this giant into the sky. Drinkable now, but best from 2025. 97 points - James Suckling.