I continue my difficult relationship with spatburgunder. The low-priced entry level cuvees are often great for quaffing in a restaurant or at a party, but they are not what I want to have at the center of my weekend meals at home. Yet the higher-level cuvees do not always deliver enough pleasure relative to their cost. At least for me and in my experience.
Recently I started with the 2011 Ziereisen Jaspis Pinot Noir, which was tasty enough. Round fresh and juicy, and perhaps slightly spicy/weedy as these spatburgunders can be. Overall it was fine, but not much distinction and not good value for me at 55euros and did not inspire me to pony up even more money for the Alte Reben.
I had a similar reaction to the 2010 Christmann Idig Spatburgunder GG. Plump round and juicy fruit, with a slightly smoky character and tannins that are so smooth and resolved that I cannot imagine what future aging will bring. Nice to drink, but for 55euros I want more distinction.
The 2008 Rebholz Im Sonnenschein Spatburgunder GG was the best of the trio. Sure it was also round, plump, porky and succulent, but also refined and elegant and even hinted at the aerian characteristics of good red Burgundy. Maybe that refinement would happen to the Christmann with a few more years of age, but who knows. Overall this was fine (but not amazing) value at 49euros, and something worth pursuing, at least for me.
Recently I started with the 2011 Ziereisen Jaspis Pinot Noir, which was tasty enough. Round fresh and juicy, and perhaps slightly spicy/weedy as these spatburgunders can be. Overall it was fine, but not much distinction and not good value for me at 55euros and did not inspire me to pony up even more money for the Alte Reben.
I had a similar reaction to the 2010 Christmann Idig Spatburgunder GG. Plump round and juicy fruit, with a slightly smoky character and tannins that are so smooth and resolved that I cannot imagine what future aging will bring. Nice to drink, but for 55euros I want more distinction.
The 2008 Rebholz Im Sonnenschein Spatburgunder GG was the best of the trio. Sure it was also round, plump, porky and succulent, but also refined and elegant and even hinted at the aerian characteristics of good red Burgundy. Maybe that refinement would happen to the Christmann with a few more years of age, but who knows. Overall this was fine (but not amazing) value at 49euros, and something worth pursuing, at least for me.
