In the glass
What it pairs with
-
Grilled ribeye
Firm Cabernet tannin frames marbled red meat. -
Lamb shank with rosemary
Dark fruit and cedar flatter braised lamb.
How to serve Knipser Cuvee X
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass — the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Grilled ribeye, Lamb shank with rosemary. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Cuvee X was Germany's pioneering Cabernet-Merlot-Franc Bordeaux blend, launched by Knipser in the mid-1990s; the bottling defined the Pfalz red as a serious German wine category.
Facts
- Producer
- Weingut Knipser
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
- Classification
- Pfalz Pradikatswein
- Oak
- 14-18 months in French oak
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 35 to 55 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1996
Frequently asked about Knipser Cuvee X
What does Knipser Cuvee X taste like?
Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Knipser's pioneering Pfalz Bordeaux blend: dark cherry, cedar, dried herbs and firm tannin from Cabernet-Merlot parcels in the north Pfalz.
When should I drink Knipser Cuvee X?
Drink 5 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Knipser Cuvee X?
Grilled ribeye is the canonical pairing; Lamb shank with rosemary is the other strong match. Firm Cabernet tannin frames marbled red meat.
Is Knipser Cuvee X vegan?
No — the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Knipser Cuvee X?
The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. The wine is classified as Pfalz Pradikatswein.