DROP 19
Drop 19
Maison Glandien, Winery Saalwächter & Winery Seckinger
Carsten Saalwächter stands for a calm, thoughtful approach to German wine — precision and restraint over loud gestures. His work is rooted in deep respect for the vineyard and a clear belief that balance and longevity come from patience, not intervention. Farming is carried out with great care, and in the cellar he keeps things deliberately minimal, letting time do the heavy lifting. The result is a signature style that feels effortless but deeply structured: quietly complex wines with tension, depth, and that salty, composed energy that turns heads without trying. I am a Fangirl since 2018!
Tino Kuban is one of those winemakers who’s already built a serious reputation while still feeling like a “new generation” voice. His world is Burgundy, but his mindset is modern: hands-on, detail-obsessed, and uncompromising about quality in both vineyard and cellar. What makes him special is how consistently he brings precision and craftsmanship to everything he touches — wines that are clean, layered, and built to age, yet never lose their immediacy. The project keeps evolving, but the core stays the same: authenticity, energy, and a very clear sense of place.
The Seckinger brothers are the definition of self-made. They’ve built their name through hard vineyard work and a fearless, low-intervention approach that still feels incredibly controlled. Their wines carry that rare combo of vibrancy and structure: alive, tense, and full of personality, but never messy. They’re part of the movement that made modern German wine feel exciting again — bold in vision, but deeply connected to their soils and their own identity.
Inside the box
Chardonnay -R- 2022 – Winery Saalwächter
The Chardonnay R 2022 from Carsten Saalwächter is a precise, quietly confident Chardonnay rooted in limestone soils and shaped by a long élevage in barrel. Fermented spontaneously and aged patiently on the lees, it gains depth and texture without losing freshness or tension. Nothing is pushed — everything feels measured, calm, and exact.
For me this is one of the best Chardonnays I’ve had in a long time. Clear, saline, layered, and super salty. It is turning my head!!!!
Drinking recommendation: Mid 2026 (can age forever)
Cruci 2024 – Maison Glandien
La Cruci 2024 is a finely balanced white from Chardonnay (70%) and Pinot Blanc (30%), sourced from a west–north facing vineyard in Haute Cote de Beaune. Planted in 1982 on clay-limestone soils, the site brings natural freshness, restraint, and a quiet mineral backbone to the wine.
The 2024 vintage was raised in 4.5 pièces, with 65% new oak, adding structure and depth without overt woodiness. Focused, layered, and precise, La Cruci combines tension with subtle richness — a composed, elegant wine that unfolds slowly and promises real ageing potential.
Drinking recommendation: Mid 2026
Maikammer Kapellenberg 2023 – Winery Seckinger
The Maikammer Kapellenberg 2023 from Weingut Seckinger is a focused, terroir-driven Chardonnay from a limestone-rich hillside site in the Pfalz. Cool, precise and finely reductive, it shows clarity and tension rather than weight.
The wine is fermented and aged entirely in new oak, giving structure and depth while remaining controlled and balanced. Structured yet elegant, with saline freshness and quiet intensity, it is a clear expression of site and Seckinger’s uncompromising approach.
Drinking recommendation: Mid 2027 – Wait!