"From a steep vineyard above Kesseler's Höllenberg, the 2019 Assmannshausen La Première offers a deep, intense and concentrated, very elegant and coolish bouquet with spicy/iodine terroir notes intertwined with perfectly ripe blackcurrant, black berry, black pepper and black tea aromas intermingled with tar and licorice nuances. Lush and supple on the palate, this is a full-bodied, powerful and concentrated, very substantial yet still juicy Pinot with ripe and crunchy tannins intermingled with iodine notes and fine, typical slate/quartzite acidity. This is an impressive red wine with power, grip and purity. 12% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in August 2022." (Stephan Reinhardt)