On the Katzbach River in the Kraichgau region of northern Baden​, the small village of Tiefenbach is home to Weingut Heitlinger. The Kraichgau has become known for its pinot noirs and it's no less superb for pinot noir's clonal brother, pinot meunier.

Pinot meunier makes its way into the glasses of most wine drinkers via Champagne, where it is one of the three main varietals that make up that region's famous sparkling wine. Here we have its pure expression as a medium-bodied and rustic red.

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Claus Burmeister is the overseeing winemaker, and crafts this meunier from a single vineyard site, Spiegelberg, with Grosse Lage (or "Grand Cru"), status under the VDP classification.

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This 2016 is light-to-medium-bodied, with lots of stewed black currant and blackberry on the palate, along with some green notes like bell pepper, and a bit of oak from the aging. Finish is light-tannic with some spice and bitter notes. A classic German red, good with a juicy pork chop, spätzle, schnitzel, etc.