2009 Weingut Josef Biffar Auxerrois Trocken, 12,0% -Pfalz, Germany
Auxerrois is a variety that I've always liked, and I got to work with it a lot this fall. In Germany, the land of mono-variety bottlings, it is almost unheard of to make Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois 'Pinot d'Alsace' cuvees as is done in Alsace. Though very closely related, Pinot Blanc is generally much sharper, fresher, more mineral and more acidic than the richer, creamier, more powerful Auxerrois.
This wine is showing a lot of pear, gooseberry, lime even. It is lively, zesty and much more tense than I remember in vintages past (though it's been a couple of years and a couple of cellar-masters since I've tasted it.) There is some mid-palate heft, but none of the riper, succulent fruit, and viscosity that I've come to associate with Auxerrois and I must say that I'm a little disappointed.
Cheers,
Bill