2009 Eugen Müller Forster Kirchenstück Riesling Spätlese Trocken –Pfalz, Germany 13% alc.
Ah, the Kirchenstück. This may be the one vineyard in the Pfalz -Christ, in all of Germany -where even the dry Riesling haters just might be able to agree that Riesling can’t get dry enough to put the kaibash on the exotic aromas of pure fruit erotica that permeate from these wines. It is lavish with all of the cliché fruit descriptors of ripe Riesling: pineapple, mango, papaya, Mirabelle plum, but also a deeply smoky, savory minerality that is hiding behind the fruit. The acidity is tangy enough, but it is the juicy fruitiness of the wine that leads. Tasty stuff.
2009 Bernhart Spätburgunder Qualitätswein –Pfalz, Germany 13,0% alc.
Bernhart with Becker and Jülg, are the Big 3 Schweigen Estates. They make some of the great Pinot Noir in the Südpfalz and in all of Germany. The little entry level PN is a very fine value with good, clean, honest Strawberry and black cherry fruit, some smoky, herbaceous savor and nice acidity.
2010 Weegmüller Grüner Veltliner –Pfalz, Germany 13,0% alc.
I am going through serious GV withdrawl since moving to Germany. If you don’t live in Munich, it seems rather hard to come by. This is juicy, succulent, sappy, leesy, lentily and delicious –not inconsistent with the rest of Weegmüllers line-up. Texturally, it reminds me a little of some of Birgit Eichingers Kamptal bottlings, though the fruit is a little more pear and there is less flaky mineral. It might not be as taut or as white peppery as the best from Austria, but it is certainly good.
Cheers,
Bill