Daniel Twardowski
Mosel Valley // Germany
Sustainable
“The Hofberg site above the meandering stream of the Dhron, just before it joins the Mosel, may seem an unlikely place for Pinot Noir, but the blue slate of it's slopes, rich in iron oxide, has produced some truly remarkable results in the hands of newcomer Daniel Twardowski.”
JANCIS ROBINSON MW & HUGH JOHNSON
The World Atlas of Wine, 2019
"Twardowski is in the first league of German Pinot producers. The Mosel is changing fast!”
DANIEL TWARDOWSKI
Making Riesling on the Mosel is something most people do; of course, the region is famous for that. But Daniel Twardowski always had something else in mind. A lifelong, all consuming passion for the great wines of Burgundy left an ever present question in his mind: Why couldn’t Pinot Noir also thrive on the banks of the Mosel?
The Grand Cru vineyard, Hofberg, is located on banks of a tributary of the Mosel, called Dhron, by a village of the same name. Daniel has been planting special Pinot Noir clones here since 2006 on a little more than 7 acres on steep slopes with ideal exposures.
The complex soil is reddish and traversed by iron oxides that lend the wine its typical minerality and a certain saline tone. Ever present winds enhance the already cool climate of the valley, and the result is a strong acidity as the backbone for the fruitiness and purity of the fruit.
All processes are meticulous; selective harvesting by hand, ecological soil cultivation without chemicals and preparation and bottling done in the old French style - in a basket crusher without mechanical pumping. The pressing and preparation all take place traditionally, without filters and mechanical pumps.
After two weeks, cool mash fermentation prepares the wine for maturation in French oak barrels from Rousseau du Francois Freres. Each barrel holds 225 litres with medium light toasting and two thirds are new. They are kept in a cool place under low must enrichment and alcohol levels between 12.6 and 13.3 percent are reached.
After bottling with natural corks from Trescasas, the bottles are stored in the cellar for at least two more years. Based on the structure of the wine, there is further ageing potential for 10 years or more.
Now considered among the very best Pinot Noir producers outside of Burgundy, Daniel Twardowski's output each vintage is minuscule. From his first handful of vintages - 2011 through to 2015 - we received just 36 bottles for Australia!
While quantities are still small, our relationship has developed since then and we are now finally able to make his latest three wines available for sale! These captivate the nose with their fresh berry and floral aromas; on the velvety palate, there is tension between finesse and richness coupled with the perfect balance between fruit intensity, elegance and acidity. Pinot Noir of the highest order.
Featured Wines
Pinot Noix 'Ardoise'
2019
From vines older than 11 years in the Dhroner Hofberg Grand Cru vineyard, 35% whole bunch, 25% new barrique.
“Deep and rooty nose, but also wonderful, fresh black-cherry fruit that expands as it opens up in the glass. The abundant, fine tannins create an impressive structure that builds very well at the finish, providing a lot of power. What an extraordinary combination of white pepper, dried flowers and chocolate at the long, pure finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2023.”
96 points, Stuart Pigott
Pinot Noix
2019
From vines younger than 11 years in the Dhroner Hofberg Grand Cru vineyard, 20% whole bunch, matured in used Burgundy barrique only.
“Fragrant red-cherry nose with delicate wild-strawberry and herbal notes. Very fine fruit and no less fine tannins that are beautifully matched. Long and filigree finish that has serious depth. Bottled unfiltered. Drink or hold.”
93 points, Stuart Pigott
Extra Brut
NV
Daniel's first sparkling wine. From younger vines and declassified Spatburgunder in the Dhroner Hofberg Grand Cru vineyard. A blend of two vintages, 2015 and 2016, fermented and aged for 20 months in five year old barrique, then refermented and aged on lees in bottle before being disgorged without dosage.
“This golden-coloured Sekt has still quite some active mousse and offers a rich and aromatic nose of blueberry, almond, hazelnut, spices, herbs, candied orange zest, hay, and mint. The wine has quite some intensity, broadness, and presence on the palate, which is however wrapped into zest and mousse at the moment. The finish is powerful and still has some tartness and herbal elements in need of integration. It will need at least another year in bottle to fully shine. 2023-2027”
Mosel Fine Wines