Hansruedi Adank
Fläscher Herrenacher Pinot Noir
Fläsch, Bündner Herrschaft, Graubünden, Switzerland
Grand Cru A. Ridiculous. My God, the concentration. So red-fruited, elegant and complex, with hauntingly complete aromas, gorgeous lift and depth, insane inner-mouth aromatics and outrageous fruit purity. The depth and texture are beyond the scale. Beyond.
Grand Cru A. Ridiculous. My God, the concentration. So red-fruited, elegant and complex, with hauntingly complete aromas, gorgeous lift and depth, insane inner-mouth aromatics and outrageous fruit purity. The depth and texture are beyond the scale. Beyond.
Jun 22nd, 2026One of the great Pinot Noirs I have had in recent years. Massively reduced for the first twenty minutes, then blossomed like a stop-motion flower. High-toned red fruit, flowers, spice, and extraordinary precision, but what separates it is the balance. Patrick Adank walks right to the edge with acidity, low alcohol, and fruit restraint, yet never loses harmony. The wine gained detail, depth, and beauty with every minute in the glass. A wine for decades, not years. 9.9–10.0. I need another day with it before I decide which.
One of the great Pinot Noirs I have had in recent years. Massively reduced for the first twenty minutes, then blossomed like a stop-motion flower. High-toned red fruit, flowers, spice, and extraordinary precision, but what separates it is the balance. Patrick Adank walks right to the edge with acidity, low alcohol, and fruit restraint, yet never loses harmony. The wine gained detail, depth, and beauty with every minute in the glass. A wine for decades, not years. 9.9–10.0. I need another day with it before I decide which.
May 29th, 2026
Blinded. The table was split on its origin - it was between Germany or France. I leaned towards the latter in my guess, but found it hard to place it in any of the Burgundy villages. A Coteaux Champenois perhaps?
Can’t say I was too surprised when it was revealed to be a Swiss Pinot Noir, but it sure stumped everyone (I encountered a very similar situation in my first meeting with Gantenbein’s now famed Swiss Pinot’s - very Burgundian yet hard to place). Clearly a very animating Pinot. Very fine pure fruit of sour cherries and blackberries. It also features notes of cloves, pepper, dried roses, and hints of smoke and oak toast. The palate was juicy with a rather impressive mid-palate concentration, which really gained with air. The finish tightens up with salty-acidic minerality and a touch of pleasant bitterness. Delicious!
Blinded. The table was split on its origin - it was between Germany or France. I leaned towards the latter in my guess, but found it hard to place it in any of the Burgundy villages. A Coteaux Champenois perhaps?
Can’t say I was too surprised when it was revealed to be a Swiss Pinot Noir, but it sure stumped everyone (I encountered a very similar situation in my first meeting with Gantenbein’s now famed Swiss Pinot’s - very Burgundian yet hard to place). Clearly a very animating Pinot. Very fine pure fruit of sour cherries and blackberries. It also features notes of cloves, pepper, dried roses, and hints of smoke and oak toast. The palate was juicy with a rather impressive mid-palate concentration, which really gained with air. The finish tightens up with salty-acidic minerality and a touch of pleasant bitterness. Delicious!