Tradition

One bitterly cold Saturday last February, we spent the afternoon in Maikammer tasting a variety of wines. The following Pinot Noir stood out in particular.

Weingut Dengler-Seyler, Spätburgunder "Tradition" 2008, Pfalz, Germany

Ruby in appearance with minty, dried herbal notes on the nose that eventually remind me of breakfast tea. Fresh basil scents also emerge. Some 24 hours later, I can smell strawberry fruit as well as a more earthy, "underground" personality - a bit like clay.
Fine, fresh strawberry on the palate with a sappy, almost limpid feel. Things become slightly creamier a day later. In truth, there is quite a lot of mouth-filling substance and complexity here, but the tannins and acidity are still youthful and vibrant.
There is a lot to like here, plus the lighter 2008 vintage maybe underscores more of this grape's elegant side.