The Kirchspiel vineyard is a sea of limestone, except for a tiny .33-hectare parcel of red soil.
This is where the Kirchspiel RR enters the stage.
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Compared to the limestone GG, the RR stands out for its darker, brooding minerality. It ranges from wet stones and earth to tobacco and clay. The indigenous yeast fermentation is allowed to stop naturally when the wine is off-dry, which Keller feels is the ideal complement to the red soil.
RR is somewhat of an outlier in Keller’s lineup, which has allowed it to fly under the radar. This is unfortunate because the RR is absolutely thrilling.
In both vintages, Keller produced some of the greatest wines made. He was able to turn out a lineup of verve, minerality, and a sculpted depth of complexity.
The 2017 RR shows its precise terroir imprint: a haunting mineral cut from the iron rich soils. It’s elegantly integrated with notes of orange and ripe peach and a concentrated richness from the painfully low yields.
The 2018 RR soars with spice, bruised flowers and stone fruits. The wine's power is perfectly balanced by a bright, driving acidity and the telltale earthy mineral quality. You encounter a shocking amount of finesse and breeding.
Keller has become one of the most hunted producers in the world. Tasting these two vintages of RR it's easy to understand why. These are simply world-class wines.
To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits
