WTN: 2010 Spätburgunder (2006 Burgundy Reincarnate?)

2010 Bernhart Spätburgunder Trocken –Pfalz, Germany 13% alc.

This is the first bottled 2010 Pinot Noir that I’ve tasted from Germany, but I have gotten the chance to taste a few from barrel, and I’m very excited about the prospects of this vintage for the grape. The year has already proven to be Terroir proving-ground for Riesling and other white wines, and I think we all learned a lot about the importance of site and of selection from 2010, no matter how long you’ve been at it. To me, there are a lot of similarities here to the 2006 vintage in Burgundy (and similar weather at that.) To speak only of lower-end wines for the time being (the ‘bigger’ wines will start to be released through the end of spring and into the summer and fall of 2012), I am reminded very much of the juicier, brighter, floral, supple fruit of the 2006 HCDB and Village Burgs on release. These 2010 Spätburgunder wines share a lot of that femininity and grace, and are just plain no-nonsense good-drinkers. Funny, but it is something that Burgundy probably needed after 2005 and likewise what Germany can use after 2009 –a ying to the yang. I write this knowing full well that not many American wine enthusiasts are well, as enthusiastic about German Pinot Noir as I am (except for perhaps Claude), but this is truly an interesting vintage for fans of Pinot Noir and I hope that some of them get over there and make some friends.

Rainier cherry, rose-petal, hibiscus, pomegranate with a supple, tear-drop texture ending with a lip-smacking splash of acidity. Pure and delicious.

Cheers,
Bill

I've been really enjoying August Kesseler's base Spätburgunder (2008 Pinot "N"); lovely pinot character, laser-like focus (nose and palate), juicy, and very Burgundian; I prefer it to a lot of Bourgogne at the price: about $18 U.S./bottle.

Interesting Marco,

I really like August Kesselers Spätburgunder, but one of the big obstacles to my drinking more of them in the states was always the price. The Pinot N must have been created for the US market because it is not available here (at least under that name.) Good news for you!

Cheers,
Bill

Hi Bill -

Thank you again for another interesting note.

Marco -

The "N" may be a new designation for the entry-level Kesseler, which used to be labeled just as Spätburgunder/Pinot Noir QbA Trocken. Glad to hear the 2008 is a nice wine.