WTN: Christmann, Diel and a pair of St. Laurents.

2010 A. Christmann Weissburgunder Trocken -Pfalz, Germany 12,0% alc.

Pure, crisp, and precise, and more fragrant than I remember. Fresh, crunchy grapiness, pear, lily, but with that great density and bite that good Pinot Blanc should have.

2007 Diel de Diel Qualitätswein –Nahe, Germany 12,5%

This tastes somewhere in between a Friulian field blend and an Alsatian Edelzwicker. Essentially, that is what it is. (Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay, Riesling.) Mirabelle, pear, marzipan, hefeteig, custard, but still a persistent finish.

2009 Dr. Wehrheim Sankt Laurent –Pfalz, Germany 12,5% alc.

Initially leans towards the Pinot Noir side of the Sankt Laurent spectrum. The very freshest of fruit; it tastes like Pinot Noir must, but interestingly, there is also a slight reductive note showing the roasted meat and white pepper of N. Rhone Syrah. A nice mix of fruit and savor if a bit simple. Tannins are soft and silky. Certainly not the greatest St. Laurent I’ve tasted, but good.

2007 Römergut Moll 'Venus' St. Laurent -Pfalz, Germany 12,0% alc.

Astonishingly, this wine spent 42 months in Barrique before just being released now. I wouldn't have guessed quite that much, but it is definitely noticeable. Blackberry fruit, lavendar, roasted meat, caramel. Soft tannins. The mouthfeel, if not exactly the flavor, conjures up Rioja for me.

cheers,
Bill

[David M. Bueker]

What do they get for the Diel de Diel over there?

I saw it on a by-the-glass list in Canada for $11 (!) per glass. Needless to say I had a beer.

What do they get for the Diel de Diel over there?

I saw it on a by-the-glass list in Canada for $11 (!) per glass. Needless to say I had a beer.

Yeah, it's tasty, but $11 a glass it ain't. I think it was around 8€.
The Rose is normally pretty good.

Hi Bill - Thank you for the notes. Haven't had the Diel de Diel yet - I have only seen it in New York so far. I'm also way overdue to locate and try something from Christmann.

Fro what I can tell., Dr. Wehrheim seems to be a lot more highly regarded in Germany than in the US. I searched for an importer a year or so ago, and could only find one based in Colorado. It probably has to do with the relative lack of American interest in German Weissburgunder, which I understand is their real strength.

Hi Bill - Thank you for the notes. Haven't had the Diel de Diel yet - I have only seen it in New York so far. I'm also way overdue to locate and try something from Christmann.

Fro what I can tell., Dr. Wehrheim seems to be a lot more highly regarded in Germany than in the US. I searched for an importer a year or so ago, and could only find one based in Colorado. It probably has to do with the relative lack of American interest in German Weissburgunder, which I understand is their real strength.

Hi Andrew,

Yes, Wehrheim would undoubtably be named with the top handful of producers in the Südpfalz. They own some impressive vineyards in Birkweiler -Kastanienbusch and Mandelberg (where they have a lot of Weissburgunder planted.) They don't make a bad wine, but I'd say that Riesling, Spätburgunder and Weißburgunder wines are the cream. But really, all of the best producers of the Südpfalz can claim those. The wines aren't cheap.

If only people would give Weissburgunder a chance!

Cheers,
Bill

Yes, Wehrheim would undoubtably be named with the top handful of producers in the Südpfalz. They own some impressive vineyards in Birkweiler -Kastanienbusch and Mandelberg (where they have a lot of Weissburgunder planted.) They don't make a bad wine, but I'd say that Riesling, Spätburgunder and Weißburgunder wines are the cream. But really, all of the best producers of the Südpfalz can claim those. The wines aren't cheap.

If only people would give Weissburgunder a chance!

Cheers,
Bill

Mmmm.... Kastanienbusch.... mmm..... (sorry, a Rebholz addict's response)

As for Weissburgunder, I've had a few bad ones. But Messmer makes a lovely Weissburgunder GG from his 'Im Goldenen Jost' parcel that I'm quite fond of.