Spätburgunder in the U.S.A.

I was contacted by someone who wandered onto my blog( it happens).
He wants to try some German Spätburgunder...and sent me a price list of a merchant in New York.
By coincidence.. I had just received a mixed case delivery..one bottle being:
Furst, Rudolf 2004 Franken Burgstadter Centgrafen Spatburgunder "R"..the price of the bottle is not cheap..
Euros 43..that's about $63...
The 2005 costs Euros 46..thats $ 67
On the New York Price List the 2005 costs $100 !!!!!!
Now..Spätburgunder could be the next big thing in wine..I am lucky living in Germany..and over the last year have had some wonderful bottles..
and maybe would not want too much exported..BUT
who is gonna pay such prices.?
I think my precious German Pinots will be with us for a while..
Is this price mark-up..the norm in the States.?..surely not just the weak dollar.

Regards

Barry

http://barrys-wine.blogspot.com/

[David M. Bueker]

Quality Spätburgunder (and the top Austrian reds also) cost the proverbial arm and leg in the USA. Kesseler's Spätburgunders are also in the $80-$100 range (though I think there's a non-vineyard specific one for $50 or so). There's a few from the Ahr that don't cost quite so much, but I haven't had any that really convinced me of their quality at the lower price points.

Even in the overheated 2005 vintage market it's still cheaper (and much easier) to buy Burgundy in the USA.

One can only imagine what the price would be up here eh David!!

The Spätburgunder 03 and 05 Fürst Centgrafenberg R are both great ambassadeur for german red wines. It is a very burgundy-like
wine and thankfully careful use of oak. In addition, great finesse and silky elegance.

Here are 2 podcasts with the winemaker about the vintage 05 and about the topic Terroir.

http://berlinkitchen.com/berlinkitchen/ ... dcast.html

P.S. David is right, you will find certainly cheaper wines in Burgundy for the same quality.

[David M. Bueker]

The Spätburgunder 03 and 05 Fürst Centgrafenberg R are both great ambassadeur for german red wines. It is a very burgundy-like
wine and thankfully careful use of oak. In addition, great finesse and silky elegance.

I bolded part of the statement above because when I tasted the Ahr Spätburgunders during the Nahe/Ahr auction in fall 2003 I was blown away by the levels of oak used in the wines. I thought I was drinking furniture. If the use of oak is backing off in Germany then I am a happy man.

Yes, I had the same feeling when I tasted 05 Spätburgunder from the region Ahr two weeks ago.......too much oak!

Another good Spätburgunder with good-integrated oak is 2005 Diel "Cuvée Caroline" and the mineral 2005 Keller "Felix" is also fine.

David, the Fürst Spätburgunder comes from the region Franken not Ahr!

I bolded part of the statement above because when I tasted the Ahr Spätburgunders during the Nahe/Ahr auction in fall 2003 I was blown away by the levels of oak used in the wines. I thought I was drinking furniture. If the use of oak is backing off in Germany then I am a happy man.

David..there is most definitely less oak nowadays..I have recently tasted some excellent Ahr wines..and my personal 'Best Grower 2007' was Adeneuer..with across the range quality..and reasonably priced( well..here in Germany). I can recommend all their 2005 and 2006 wines..if anyone can purchase them in the U.S.A.

As to the prices compared to Burgundy..why should there be a difference?..same distance.....
Maybe I should open an export business.....

Regards

Barry

[David M. Bueker]

David, the Fürst Spätburgunder comes from the region Franken not Ahr!

Indeed I was aware of that, but thought my Ahr experience was noteworthy.

Of course, it is noteworthy!

BTW, did you hear some impressions from the Keller-Tasting in San Francisco?

[David M. Bueker]

BTW, did you hear some impressions from the Keller tasting in San Francisco?

Nope.