Rings, Portugieser Sand & Kiesel 2022

Disclosure: I have a commercial relationship with this producer. See my ethics and disclosure policy.

The Rings brothers have built their reputation with Spätburgunder; their 'Sand & Kiesel' bottling honors a traditional, historic local grape variety, Blauer Portugieser, from 40- to 60-year-old vines grown in the warm, sand and gravel soils of Freinsheim. 100% whole cluster, spontaneously fermented in large concrete eggs and amphorae with a light sulfuring before bottling. An explosively fragrant nose with curry spice, herbs, blackberry and blueberries, peppercorn, and violets. A hint of reduction that you soon forget, with a bright lift on the palate, juicy acidity, soft tannins, and lingering flavors of black fruit and herbs. A joy to drink!

Scored on a five-star scale, where a plus is a third of a star. How I score and what I disclose is set out in my ethics and disclosure policy. More notes are in the review index, and the regional background is in Wine in Germany.