2008 August Ziegler Spätburgunder – Pfalz, Germany 14% alc.
2008 Spätburgunder is becoming a rarity in these parts. A damn shame it is too, as I am a huge fan of the vintage for the Pfalz. And boy, does August Ziegler continue to impress me. Their Sankt Laurent is excellent, the Shiraz delicious (not to mention satisfyingly authentic, especially since I can’t score much in the way of N. Rhone around here) and now this Pinot Noir, which I bought in favor of a Christmann Spätburgunder as it was the last bottle. Like a lot of the Badischer and Pfälzer Spätburgunder of the last few vintages, the fruit here runs dark. Black cherry, cinnamon, anise, and lebkuchen. The alcohol isn’t apparent, but the tannin is and there is a very slight talcum note that only added to its appeal.
2009 Philipp Kuhn Riesling «Tradition» -Pfalz, Germany 12,0%
Though Kuhn is more probably better known for reds, his whites are almost their equal. This is only his entry level Riesling, but it is rather classy for the price. Peach, pineapple, nutmeg, ginger, and juicy 2009 succulence. It must be noted that at first, the wine was rather shut-down as was an ‘09 Müller-Catoir Bürgergarten Riesling that I opened earlier in the week. Both emerged guns-a-blazing only after several hours of pleading (I finally resorted to decanting the MC.) Nothing craves air like dry Riesling.
Cheers,
Bill