Meyer-Nakel, Blauschiefer Spatburgunder, Ahr

Slight Brown hue. Blueberries.

Remarkably, much more attractive than before. Light but not drying or unripe, elegant and wonderfully fragrant, smoky slate, ripe and juicy strawberry fruit, rosehip, bright acidity, energetic yet silky, lovely creamy note, clean and transparent, lovely length. Very moreish, real finesse and sense of place. Works a treat with fish pie made with salmon and prawns.

red cherry and slight black fruit and toast, spice, floral notes, mushroom and touches of 'that' Pinot smell. In the mouth there is medium plus intensity acidity, juicy berry fruit and toast dominated by spice notes but all very subtle. Quite long in the mouth and well balanced. It's actually exceedingly pleasant and dangerously quaffable. Rather splendid.

Very similar to my previous note. There is a distinct lack of ripeness but goes surprisingly well with Dover sole(!). (87) On the second day, the wine seems softer and rounder and the nose in particular is quite attractive with its floral, smoky and spicy aromas; the core however remains slightly anaemic but I like the style and tension. (88)

I am a huge fan of the wines of Meyer-Näkel, but 2010 was a tough vintage in the Ahr and in this wine the strain shows. The initially reticent nose takes some coaxing in a large glass to open up, displaying unripe strawberries and slate with hints of undergrowth and smoky oak; the palate is quite thin and on the dry side, but it rounds out slightly with air and there is good tension and freshness, even if the acidity …

Some pinot-typical notes of strawberries, oriental spices and perfume but overall weak fruit and some not so flattering notes of canned tomatoes, bitter herbs and cigarette smoke. Nice acidity but no tannins at all. Some good things are going on in this wine but the bad things are unfortunately more dominant. Disharmonic, unstructured and unintegrated components.

Monthly Tasting Group HWS #080; Germany: Ahr (by MM) : The bouquet is a bit reticent with some small red fruits like strawberries. On the palate metal impressions in the start followed by tart cherries. A bit drying in the short finish, but overall there is some good tension in the wine.