WTN: Pfälzer Frühburgunder

Weingut Karl Dennhardt 2005 Gimmeldinger Meerspinne Frühburgunder trocken QbA 2005 -Pfalz, Germany 13,0% alc.

(Meerspinne is a Großlage)

One thing that I love (among many) about living in the Pfalz is the enormous selection of different vines planted and wines from which they are made. I cannot think of another 80 km stretch on the planet with so many different vines represented (though that might make an interesting discussion.)

So tonight it was Frühburgunder, which I've only before ever tasted from the Ahr, where it is given a fair amount of respect. It is an earlier (Früher) ripening mutation of Pinot Noir and has always struck me as kind of 'Germany does Gamay.' The Dennhardt follows along those lines, but with the 2005 vintage being what it was and a little bottle age, it is a bit more substantial in texture and softer in acidity than the examples that I've enjoyed before.

It is all berry fruit, but certainly not jammy (this is rather light-bodied, but full-textured if that makes sense?) Strawberry, red currant, blackberry, rosehips, a little chanterelle, rust, and loam. Aged well (I can't imagine that it was expected to go much longer than this) and drinking nicely.

Cheers,
Bill

Parts of Italy, maybe, especially in the South and still using traditional varieties? They might provide a challenge to the Pfaltz. The producer in the Pfaltz that always amazes me in terms of how many varieties and variations of each variety they make is Darting. Tasting through their range takes a very long (but highly enjoyable) time!

Nice note, it sounds like a fascinating wine, one I'd like to try!

Parts of Italy, maybe, especially in the South and still using traditional varieties? They might provide a challenge to the Pfaltz. The producer in the Pfaltz that always amazes me in terms of how many varieties and variations of each variety they make is Darting. Tasting through their range takes a very long (but highly enjoyable) time!

Hi John,
Southern Italy may give the Pfalz a run, but I think that the Pfälzers have the edge because of of all the crossings and imported vines. Here is a list of the vines that I'm sure are in the ground. There are probably a handful more:

(In no particular order)

Riesling
Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir)
Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris)
Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc)
Scheurebe
St. Laurent
Gewürztraminer
Rieslaner
Morio-Muskat
Gelber Muskateller
Silvaner
Müller-Thurgau
Portugieser
Dornfelder
Chardonnay
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Dorsa
Cabernet Mitos
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Cubin
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Blanc
Acalon
Kerner
Frühburgunder
Dunkelfelder
Regent
Lemberger (Blaufränkisch)
Ortega
Schwarzriesling (Pinot Meunier)
Auxerrois
Tempranillo
Syrah
Gelber Orleans
Gutedel (Chasselas)
Huxelrebe
Kanzler
Mariensteiner
Reichensteiner
Schönburger
Siegerrebe
Domina
Sangiovese
Bacchus
Faberrebe
Hölder
Lagrein
Merzling
Muskat Ottonel
Nebbiolo

The entire country of Italy probably has many more than that.

Cheers,
Bill

Wow, that's quite a list! Sangiovese and Nebbiolo in the Pfalz, I never would have guessed. And there are lots of varieties I've never heard of - tasting them all should keep you busy!