"Rudolf Fürst is an acknowledged Pinot magician in Germany, not just with Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), but also the earlier-ripening Frühburgunder."
JANCIS ROBINSON MW
Arguably the greatest producer of Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) in Germany, the wines of Rudolf Fürst have received critical acclaim both domestically and internationally. They are at the forefront of pushing the quality and reputation of Pinot Noir from Germany and proving that it can considered among the best in the world.
Located in the Franken, focusing on vineyards in Centgrafenberg. The wines show texture, body, fruit and structure that reflect strongly a Burgundian influence on the wines. Recent developments in the winery have been steadily improving the quality and complexity of the wines as the responsibility shifts from father to son.
When Paul and Monika Fürst took over the winery in 1979, they built today’s estate buildings on the outskirts of the village. The winery lies nestled in the heart of the Centgrafenberg vineyard with a magnificent view of the medieval half-timbered village of Miltenberg.
Because the land was parcelled off through the inheritance of successive generations, the remaining vineyard area covered only 1.5 hectares. Family Fürst renovated and re-cultivated the particularly beautiful, steep parcels in the best sites. They gradually expanded the vineyard area to the current 21 hectares, 60 % of which is planted to Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir).
Fürst has collected many prestigious accolades. Paul was named German Winemaker of the Year in 2003 and Sebastian achieved this distinction in 2018. Paul was honoured for his life’s work in 2020.
Featured Wines
Centgrafenberg
Riesling
Grosses Gewächs
2015
"They like to express cool minerality in their Riesling (and Silvaner) at the house of Fürst and the hot summer of 2015 could not stop them from achieving that goal. Add an invigorating acidity and you have probably the most vibrant Riesling of the region. Green fruit is fresh and not too ripe, but lifted by the merest notion of residual sugar. Not lean, but taut."
18.5 points, Michael Schmidt, jancisrobinson.com
Centgrafenberg Spatburgunder
Grosses Gewachs
2013
"It was the Bürgstadter Centgrafenberg Spätburgunder 'R' (the 'R' since dropped by the estate) which many years ago convinced me that Germany could compete with the top Pinot Noirs of the world. Even if burgundy clones are used, the Centgrafenberg is never a burgundy copycat and has shaped a personality of its very own with that trademark composition of red berry fruit, spicy-smoky barrique aromas and a truly cool minerality.
The 2013 differs little from its predecessors, thanks to the grapes picked à point to tame the exuberant acidity of the vintage while delivering perfect ripeness and great purity of fruit. It probably is the most elegant of Fürst’s Grosse Gewächse, not as ostentatious as the other two, a gentleman of Pinot Noir."
18.5 points, Michael Schmidt, jancisrobinson.com
Hundsruck
Spatburgunder
Grosses Gewachs
2013
"It's difficult to decide which fruit the seductive and eau-de-vie-like fragrance of the Hundsrück has missed out on, but if all this wealth of aromas comes from the vineyard, the masterful delivery of barrique aromas doesn’t. The old adage that the best wines are made in the vineyard is only a half-truth, as at chez Fürst the contribution of the oak is expertly adjusted according to the needs and benefit of every individual vintage.
This is why – even after a difficult two months before the harvest – the 2013 Hundsrück still shows the same finely poised balance between the taste of plums, blackberries and cherries and the oak-induced components of roasted nuts, smoky bacon and spicy sandalwood. It doesn’t end there of course, as a salty and stony minerality has the final say in flavour matters. Structure, substance and complexity are even more guaranteed with two master winemakers working in tandem."
18.5 points - Michael Schmidt, jancisrobinson.com