AchilleePinotNoirLibre2021

Get to know: Domaine Achillée Pinot Noir Libre 2021

A quietly beguiling Alsace red wine from the biodynamic vineyards around Scherwiller on the Alsace Wine Route.

Tasting Note

Pinot Noir Libre is a light-to-medium-bodied, terroir-driven red that balances delicate fruit with a bright, tensile energy. Pale ruby and very slightly cloudy in appearance, it offers an aromatic mix of bramble, wild strawberries, cranberry and redcurrant, backed by notes of white pepper and a faint hint of marc. On the palate there’s a supple, flowing texture, lively acidity and an almost saline tension that frames the red-fruit core think tart redcurrant and juicy raspberry – before softening as the wine breathes. The finish is fresh and focused, a refined example of Alsace Pinot Noir that marries precision with real drinkability.

Top food pairings:

• Magret de canard with redcurrant sauce and roast apples
• Cucumber, feta and pomegranate salad
• Light chocolate desserts or panna cotta with berry compote

Kate Says

“This is the kind of Pinot Noir I reach for when I want something honest and food-friendly – modest in colour but full of personality. Domaine Achillée’s biodynamic approach really shines through: it’s lively, precise and quietly charming.”

Producer Info

Domaine Achillée is a family-run, biodynamic estate based in Scherwiller on the Alsace Wine Route, certified organic and biodynamic for over 20 years. Rooted in a long local history, the Dietrich family work a mosaic of terroirs – gravelly sand, granite slopes and clay – and favour low yields, indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention in the cellar. Their philosophy is simple: care for the vine, respect the soil and let each plot express its own character.

How it’s made:

• Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
• Harvest: careful, timely picking in 2021 to preserve freshness and avoid excessive alcohol
• Vinification: foot-treading across the whole volume, followed by whole-cluster maceration in closed vats; fermentation quickly saturated the tank with CO₂
• Maceration: ten days of whole-bunch maceration, with early pressing/decuvage before tannins became dominant to avoid vegetal extraction
• Maturation: approximately seven months ageing mainly in stainless steel, with a portion élevage in one barrel to add nuance

Good to know:

• Region: Alsace, France (Scherwiller)
• Style: Red, still
• Closure: Cork
• Vegan: Yes
• Vintage: 2021

Why we love it:

This Alsace red wine is a poised, elegant Pinot Noir – drinkable now yet built for a little time in the cellar. Its bright red-fruit character, taut acidity and subtle spice make it wonderfully versatile at the table and a lovely example of biodynamic winemaking in Alsace.