Ottenbreit – Unleashed 2025
Grauburgunder
Obernbreit, Franken, Germany
Crafted by Christian Ottenbreit, Unleashed 2025 is a vibrant, skin-contact Grauburgunder that brilliantly showcases the potential of Germany’s Franken region.
This wine is a siren call to those who love the textural depth of macerated Pinot Gris—a captivating, pleasurable experience that perfectly encapsulates Christian’s signature style. Ottenbreit’s skillful balancing of maceration and subtle oak aging gives the wine remarkable structure and depth. Underpinning it all is the local terroir, defined by fossil-rich Muschelkalk (shell limestone), which imparts a distinct minerality and its unmistakable character.
Muschelkalk, German for “shell limestone,” is a type of sedimentary rock formed during the Triassic period, approximately 240 million years ago. It is particularly rich in fossilized shells and marine organisms. In viticulture, especially in regions like Germany’s Franken, these soils are prized for their excellent drainage and ability to impart a distinct, flinty minerality to wines.
Pouring an intense, deep copper-pink hue from its skin-contact vinification, the wine’s “unleashed” aromatic profile offers a captivating interplay of rich floral notes, bright citrus, ripe peach, rosehip, and a crush of fresh raspberries. This is all beautifully layered with a sprinkle of white pepper and cinnamon.
The palate is dry and highly textured, framed by delicate tannins and refreshing acidity. A primary sensation of vibrant cranberry and cherry fruit leads to a sophisticated, smoky vanilla and resinous underlayer from the oak. The wine culminates in a remarkably long, crystal-clear finish of ripe red apples.
