J.B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Spätburgunder Auslese 1969 350ml
We have 3 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
The J.B. Becker Wallufer Walkenberg Spätburgunder Auslese 1969 hails from the Rheingau region of Germany. The specific vineyard, Wallufer Walkenberg, is known for its ability to produce exceptional Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). This particular wine was grown in the 1969 vintage, before changes were made to German wine laws, and is an old school, rare bottling.
The Wine
This 1969 bottling, classified as an "Auslese Reserve," showcases a mature and cerebral expression of Pinot Noir. The term "Cabinet," used on the label (spelled with a "c" and one "t"), denotes not its ripeness (which is at the Auslese level) but rather its quality as a premium wine intended for special aging. At this point in its life, the wine tastes nearly dry, displaying subterranean, roasted beet juice, caramelized mushrooms, umami, and caramel notes across a complex palate. While the wine is quite old, most bottles retain a core freshness. It's a singular and compelling wine, but it is crucial to note that given its age (55 years) there may be bottle variations, dried corks and other such natural variations that occur in wines this old. Handle with care.
The People
This wine was made by J.B. Becker, a traditional German producer. In 1969, a young Hans-Josef Becker worked alongside his father. The family's wines were made to be age-worthy, with a focus on the terroirs of the Rheingau. It is a rare treat to taste such old wines today, and serves as a clear window into the winemaking traditions of that era.
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The Rheingau, a classic German wine region along the Rhine River, is celebrated as a birthplace of Riesling. Here, on south-facing slopes sheltered by the Taunus mountains, the slate and quartzite soils impart a distinct minerality to the wines. The Rheingau is known for producing elegant and refined Rieslings, often dry or off-dry, that balance ripe fruit with bracing acidity and a distinctive structure. With a long and prestigious winemaking history, the Rheingau remains a benchmark for classic German Riesling, known for its grace and age-worthiness.
Germany - Rheingau
Pinot Noir is a thin-skinned, notoriously difficult-to-grow, low-yielding grape that finds its ancestral home in Burgundy, France, where it produces some of the world's most elegant and nuanced wines. While Burgundy remains its spiritual heartland, Pinot Noir has since traveled the globe, finding success in other cooler climates, notably in California, Oregon, New Zealand, and Germany. This grape is a challenge for any grower, as it requires specific conditions to show its best, and yet the wines it produces are capable of such a captivating and singular character.
