Battenfeld Spanier, Kirchenstuck Spatburgunder GG, Rheinhessen

Quick Note: Not scoring. Weird. Lots of sesame on the nose. Very intense funkiness. Definitely a bit bretty. Palate is soft and somewhat spiced, but also a touch unpleasant. Looking at others’ notes, there may be a high rate of off bottles here.

Not positive that this bottle is in the best shape. Very earthy on the nose - smoky, flinty, earth, grilled aromas, and a bit of cherry (sort of like a fruit gummy), but the tertiary notes dominate. The palate has more primary delicate red fruit notes and minerality. Perhaps a bit underwhelming, but then again, it could be the bottle.

This might be a good case study for how German Pinots were so unpopular in the earlier years (before the 2020's). This came across as bretty and unbalanced (heavy on the oak). I wouldn't even say it is shut down - there doesn't feel like much that is coiled/dense here, and I'm struggling to see how time/air would help this bottle. There are good German Pinots from the earlier era (earlier Keller Pinots were fantastic), sure, but this wasn't one …

Pale ruby colour. Medium (+) and developing nose with red currant, cranberry, charred wood, smoke, forest floor and wet leaves. Medium taste of red currant, cranberry, raspberry, charred wood, cocoa, wet leaves and forest floor. Long and dry finish. High acidity. Light tannins. Medium body. A very good Spätburgunder. Drink now or over the next couple of years. Goes well with mushrooms or pork.

Excellent drinkable spät with nice cherries and wonderful fruit.