Location and Landscape
Forstberg is a vineyard site in Oberstenfeld in the wine-growing region Württemberg. The site, which faces south to south-west, lies at 320 to 360 metres above sea level and has a slope of 45 to 55 per cent.
Soil and Grape Varieties
The documented soil comprises multicoloured marl, a coloured marl formation. In the VDP classification, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are listed as grape varieties for the site.
Cultivation
For Pinot Noir, yield reduction through grape splitting and green harvesting, as well as repeated selective hand harvesting, are documented. The grapes are sorted on a sorting belt and processed gently. This is followed by a long maceration on the skins in wooden casks, spontaneous fermentation and the natural biological reduction of acidity.
Wines and Classification
Documented Forstberg wines include dry red Pinot Noir, or Pinot Noir, as VDP.GROSSES GEWÄCHS. For the 2016 vintage, 13.0 per cent alcohol and 0.8 grams of residual sugar per litre are stated. The ageing took place for around twelve months in new and used small oak barrels, as well as a further ten months in large wooden casks.
Forstberg is listed with the VDP as VDP.GROSSE LAGE® with a classified area of 24 hectares. This is a VDP classification and not a statutory German appellation category. Christian Dautel planted Pinot Noir there; according to the documented profile, the first Forstberg Grosses Gewächs was created in 2014.
