2022 Albert Mann Clos de la Faille Pinot Noir, Alsace

I love the spicy aromas of allspice and cloves and the generous red fruit character, but what really makes this stand out is the wonderfully creamy texture that the very fine tannins give this on the the mid-palate, Then terrific minerality comes through, giving the finish a drive that you don’t expect from the first impression. 30% whole cluster. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

96 points jamessuckling.com

Albert Mann Clos de la Faille Pinot Noir from Alsace is one of the most exciting and increasingly collectible reds emerging from France today — a wine that has already gained near cult status among Burgundy lovers looking beyond the Côte d’Or. Crafted by Maurice and Jacky Barthelmé, the brothers behind the biodynamic Albert Mann estate, it captures the finesse and complexity of Pinot Noir grown in Alsace’s unique limestone terroir with Burgundian precision and soul.

Clos de la Faille is a tiny, walled vineyard near Wintzenheim, planted on pure limestone slopes at the base of the Vosges mountains. Farmed biodynamically and entirely by hand, it yields small quantities of intensely concentrated fruit that express both power and refinement. The grapes are hand sorted, fermented with native yeasts, and aged for around fifteen months in fine-grained French oak barrels, a portion new. The result is a wine of remarkable purity and depth, combining structure and grace in perfect harmony.

In the glass it glows deep ruby with garnet reflections. The aroma is layered and seductive, revealing black cherry, raspberry, and rose petal alongside notes of spice, forest floor, and subtle smokiness. The palate is elegant yet powerful, showing precise red fruit, fine tannins, and a chalky mineral backbone that mirrors its limestone origins. The finish is long, seamless, and savoury — the mark of a truly great terroir-driven Pinot Noir.

It pairs beautifully with duck, lamb, truffle dishes, or mushroom-based cuisine, and it will age effortlessly for two decades, evolving into something profound and hauntingly complex. With its combination of site, craftsmanship, and character, Clos de la Faille is destined to become one of the most sought-after Pinot Noirs in Alsace — a true future cult wine.