Dornfelder – Sablon Domain

Tough on the outside, soft on the inside: this Dornfelder Barrique from the Zavel wine estate combines power with refinement. Made from biodynamically grown grapes from the Palatinate, this red wine exudes character and craftsmanship. Think ripe dark fruit, a hint of spice and a soft, velvety structure that will continue to seduce you glass after glass.

Character and aromas

This Dornfelder is a true tastemaker. It opens with a rich aroma of blackberries and mulberries, and a hint of spicy complexity. The taste? Juicy, soft, and lovingly balanced. The tannins are gentle, while the crisp acidity keeps the wine lively. You'll also taste nuances of black plum, as if a rich dark fruit tart were melting on your tongue, with a surprising hint of coffee in the background.

How it's made

The Dornfelder grapes for this wine come from an old vineyard with vines of over 40 years old, grown on a loess terroir. The yield is deliberately kept low, just 40 hectoliters per hectare, to maximize quality. After careful hand harvesting, the grapes were fermented on the skins for 8 days, with a short heat treatment to extract extra flavor and soft tannins. The wine was then matured in 3 barriques of 350 liters, which ensures those fine, subtle wood notes without being overpowering.

Goes well with

This Dornfelder Barrique is a friend to everyone at the table. Pair it with a juicy leg of lamb with rosemary, a game stew or a rich mushroom risotto. For a lighter pairing, it works surprisingly well with grilled vegetables or a creamy lasagna. And if you really want to go all out? A dessert with dark chocolate or a piece of blue cheese completes the party.

About the winemaker