Theodorus Dornfelder

An immediately attractive fruit focused German red wine that delivers an abundance of autumnal brambley, plummy sensations. Savoury and characterful with lively freshness its open structure ensures that the palate remains refreshed and awake. Crunchy dark fruit and lithe tannins make for an interesting and rewarding red. The Dornfelder grape resulted from crossing two different varieties – the end result being of good quality and of individuality. Like Pinot Noir with added oompf! Recommended by Jane MacQuitty in The Times

“Jane’s Favourite”, Jane MacQuitty’s Top 50 Reds for Winter, ‘If you buy just one top-100 red, make it this stunning, dry German. Made from Dornfelder, a hardy modern cross, this quirky red sings with big-food friendly, zingy, loganberry and forest fruit. Tailor-made for goose and duck.’ The Times, November 2017 (2013 vintage)

16/20 – JancisRobinson.com, ‘Cranberry and redcurrant that evokes Beaujolais in many ways. Has a similar bright crunchiness too. Loads of enjoyable fruit that fades quickly. Quite good value.’ Richard Hemming MW, October 2017 (2013 vintage)

Weingut Theodorus is a renowned family-owned wine estate in Germany's Pfalz region that can proudly claim a 230 year history since its founding in 1778. The more contemporary era began in 1974 with Theo and Inge Lergenmüller who subsequently handed over the reins of the business to  their son Thomas. Ever since that time, in 1996, Thomas has worked with complete focus and dedication to ecological principles. He has converted all his 14 hectares of vineyards to organic cultivation with official certification following in 2011. The vineyards are scattered around the best wine-growing areas surrounding the village of Hainfeld and it is here that the Riesling grape, in particular, benefits from heavy clay-rich limestone soil. Integrated plant protection, green ground cover management and an environmentally friendly working practices are the norm. Any ecological vineyard treatments are kept to a minimum e.g. composting or lime. As the vines are naturally healthy they have built up a protection against the worst ravages of fungal diseases. Low yields promote high quality fruit. Meticulous selection and hand-harvesting of grapes from the best vineyard sites, followed by the gentle handling of the fruit and slow cool fermentations with natural yeasts ensure that Thomas's wines express fully their origins and varietal character. Extended lees contact is encouraged. Purity and authenticity are key here. Thomas Lergenmüller says that “the gentle handling of nature is the basic requirement for achieving highest qualities in wine."

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