Michael Andres Winery - Auxerrois-Chardonnay 2024

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• Origin: Pfalz, Germany
• Appellation: Pfalz QbA
• Grape variety: Auxerrois & Chardonnay
• Alcohol content: approx. 12.5%
• Style: Fresh, juicy, lightly creamy, mineral
• Ageing potential: Now until 2029
• Rating: Not yet rated by Vinous or Wine Advocate

The Auxerrois-Chardonnay 2024 ("Löss & Lehm") is a refined, accessibly luxurious white wine with its own unique Pfalz signature.
On the nose, fine aromas of citrus, juicy pear, white peach and a hint of honey melon, supported by subtle florality and a gentle minerality.
On the palate, the wine is fresh and round at the same time: a ripe Chardonnay texture, combined with the airy, mineral touch of Auxerrois. The acidity is perfectly integrated, the finish clean and slightly saline, with a very subtle creaminess.

Vinification.
The grapes come from organically farmed plots on loess and clay soils and are harvested entirely by hand. The must ferments spontaneously with wild yeasts, mostly in stainless steel and partly in larger, neutral wooden barrels. The wine then ages for approximately 6–8 months on the fine lees, with regular bâtonnage where necessary for extra texture and volume. After gentle clarification, it is bottled lightly or unfiltered and rests for several more months in the bottle so that the different components blend beautifully.

The estate.
Michael Andres deliberately keeps his estate small to keep everything under his own control: from pruning to bottling. Organic and strongly biodynamic-inspired practices, low yields and a lot of manual labor form the basis. In the cellar, the approach is minimalist: spontaneous fermentation, little to no fining agents, limited use of sulfites and gentle pressing.

The wines – from Riesling and Auxerrois to Chardonnay and Spätburgunder – all show tension, energy and a remarkably pure terroir expression. The Auxerrois-Chardonnay 2024 beautifully demonstrates how he manages to bring freshness, fruit and subtle creaminess into perfect balance.