The German wine region the "Pfalz", and especially the Southern part named "Südliche Weinstrasse", has a micro climate that strikes one immediately as very mediterranean. Oleander and olive trees seem to belong to the everyday flora. Most probably this explains why the red wines of the area are able to reach the state of full ripeness: in the first place the Spätburgunder or Pinot Noir, but equally, and not to be neglected, the Dornfelder. This variety was created 50 years ago as a cross-breed of about all the common red varieties in Germany. Thomas Siegrist is being identified with the Dornfelder in such a manner, that he is sometimes designated as the "Dornfelder König". This should not lead us to the conclusion that Siegrist's whites are not worth any attention. Au contraire!
As a member of the "Deutsches Barrique Forum", Thomas Siegrist was one of the first to use barriques in the Pfalz, and with the "Fünf Freunde", a group of 5 notorious wine makers from the region, he shares the ambition to make original wines of high quality. Making wine according to the Siegrist philosophy is a long-term effort focusing on experiment, authenticity and respect for the environment. Consequently, Thomas Siegrist has chosen as an icon for his latest labels the "Weinbergschnecke" (vineyard snail), as it gives its own meaning to the factor "time", against the current "zeitgeist".
The wine farm Siegrist, 14,5 acres, works according to the principles of the "Umweltschönender Landwirtschaft". This means, among other things, that the vines are not overburdened. Between the vines the growing of herbs is stimulated, which enhances the activity of the micro-life in the soil, the performance of the vines themselves and, finally, the quality of the wine.

Thomas Siegrist believes in the power of the "terroir". The "Weissburgunder" (which is the same grape as the French "Pinot Blanc") grows in a "Keuper"-soil, this is a clayey and stoney ground, which, according to Siegrist, is extremely hard to cultivate: if it is not too wet, it is usually too dry. Probably this explains the strikingly mineral character of this "Weissburgunder". A nose of fresh ananas and blossoms, a racy flavour with vivid acids and minerals. We are talking about a very drinkable "Qualitätswein", a.k.a. table wine, available in litre bottles. (This wine is no longer available, DKD 23/09/2007.)

This is a very special and sublime "Pinot Blanc", totally different from the French ones. A dense aroma, complex and floral, of white fruit and woodlands, a very long and savourous flavour of apple and nuts.

A soft and harmonious sparkling wine, 100% Pinot Blanc. Pale yellow. A discrete nose, slightly buttery and floral, with hints of apple, grape fruit and mango. A long lasting flavour with beatiful acids, melon, avocado, ending on a subtle bitter tone.

Another typical German variety, renowned for its powerful aroma and often used to produce mildly sweet wines. "Explosive" is the least you can say about the aroma: a cloud of tropical fruit (passion fruit), cassis and blossoms refers to the best of the dessert wines. The flavour is, notwithstanding, very dry. 2003 has proven to be a very good year indeed for the Scheurebe. (This wine is no longer available, 05/02/2006.)

An exceptionnally powerful Riesling to be appreciated for its spiciness and thick tropical fruit, rather than for the classical "pétrole". With an enormous complexity and concentration. This wine is a "Grosses Gewächs", a category created by the VDP-Pfalz (Predikätsweingüter from the Palatine) for extraordinary wines that are grown and harvested according to the highest standards.

A veritable wine bomb! The Chardonnay extremely concentrated and strengthened by the oak, which does not in any way intrude but is, on the contrary, at the complete service of the fruit. A nose of roasted almond, mango, lychee. As for the flavour, here the fruit stands firm in all its powerful sophistication: masses of tropical fruit and a hint of grapefruit.

The specialty of the house. The ripening on wooden barrels has clearly benefited the texture and structure of this wine. Astonishing fruit! A dark purple color, a very thick and spicy aroma (lorberry, thime), a bit stubborn. A very vivid taste of dark berries, with hints of caramel and walnuts. Nice acidity. This reminds one more of the "garrigue" than of the Pfalz! Vintage 2004 is still very young and will benefit from some oxygen and time if you want it to reveal its secrets.

The same Dornfelder, but this one has ripened in oak barriques, granting the wine a very recognizable and international quality. Vintage 2003 is a deep purple, almost inklike. Aroma is very ripe, with lorberry, thime, clove. Flavour is very accessible (vanilla reigns), but well structured with vivid acids and noble tannins. Great job!

Johan Adam Hauck was the eightteenth-century owner of the "Zehntkeller" (tax cellar) in Leinsweiler where Thomas Siegrist now keeps his best wines on barrique. Already then the Pfalz was known for its reds, principally Spätburgunder (or Pinot Noir), but also Saint-Laurent, a French grape that produces deep red, cherry-like wines. In this cuvée Siegrist has brought together these two varieties in equal proportions and completed them with 20% Merlot. Resulting in a deeply red coloured and very soft and rounded wine. A nose of cherries and angelica, the taste clearly referring to the Spätburgunder and supported by firm tannins.

Whether you call it Spätburgunder or Pinot Noir, it concerns one and the same grape. A wine of enormous fullness and concentration, according to Thomas Siegrist the best red wine he has made up until now. No further comment.
Scarlet to dark red. A very delicate aroma but very intense and spicy: roses, liquorice, apple sage, even a hint of coriander. Flavour is outstanding: beautifully concentrated and velvety, pure fruit, very ripe plums. The barrique gives the wine its solid structure and the powerful tannins which are very present but never intrusive. 14,5° of alcolhol (2003!), but this you barely notice. A magnificent wine to taste or to accompany your favorite dish.

The "Trockenbeerenausleses" are at the highest level of the German classification system ("Predikatsystem"). The grapes are not picked until they are completely schriveled up. After being carefully pressed, they turn into extremely concentrated and mildly sweet wines that can still boast vivid acids.