Tag: DM87

Wines with a DM87 to DM89 rating are very good wines, more or less above average even in the world of fine wine. That means these wines have been produced really well. They have no flaw whatsoever. Moreover, they have a good balance, elegant tannin structure and a well-integrated acidity. These are wines that I will happily drink up and buy for my own cellar. Then what keeps them from getting a rating in the 90s? While above average and good in practically every way, wines in the DM87 to DM89 range may still not be exceptional in a way that they make you pause and think ‘What a wonderful wine this is!‘

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2022 Alexander Laible Grauer Burgunder *** SL

The “SL” stands for “Selektion Laible”. Alexander Laible uses the three stars *** to denote his highest-quality wines, which benefit from reduced yields and a thorough selection of healthy grapes. (Alexander Laible is not to be confused with Andreas Laible, whose winery is also based in Durbach but is a member of the VDP.)

Tasting note

Clear appearance. Pale golden yellow to salmon pink in colour. The nose is clean and of medium intensity. It is easy to distinguish the primary fruit aromas: Cantaloupe melon, peach, apple, pear and grapefruit. On the palate, the pinot gris is dry. Typical of the varietal, acidity is on the lower side. I get apple and citrus fruit. It’s pretty primary. Alcohol is medium at 13%. The body and flavour intensity are both medium, as is the finish, which is carried by notes of grapefruit. The Grauer Burgunder *** SL is a good wine for lovers of pinot gris — not high in acidity but fresh and fruity. Cellaring potential is limited, I’d drink it through 2025. DM87.

2022 Alexander Laible Grauer Burgunder *** SL
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South African white wines & preparing for WSET Level 2

As part of my WSET preparations I wanted to taste South African white wines, of which I haven’t tried that many yet. I bought two examples from the same producer at a local wine shop. The wines are from False Bay, which are based in the Western Cape region at the Southern tip of the African continent. There, the cooling climate from the seashore allows for the production of fresh wines despite the generally hot climate.

2022 False Bay Chenin Blanc Slow
A clear, pale lemon yellow. Very clean on the nose, with medium fruitiness. Primary flavours of stone fruit, some orange and pineapple. With a little more temperature and air, great smoky, yeasty and delicately spicy notes also appear. Dust-dry on the palate, medium body, present but well-integrated acidity. The flavour is primarily fruity, yellow fruit, just not as complex as the aromas on the nose. Solid finish. DM87.

2022 False Bay Chardonnay Crystalline
Clear in the glass, slightly darker lemon yellow. Pure and clean on the nose, but somewhat restrained at first. The wine is matured in stainless steel tanks, to my knowledge without long lees ageing. In a larger glass, slightly buttery after a few minutes, with still restrained fruit. Rather low acidity, a little thin overall. Comparatively short finish. DM84.

South African wines
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2020 Markus Schneider Udo Lindenberg Chardonnay “only Sansibar”

EN: From the annual collaboration of the winery Markus Schneider in the Palatinate (Pfalz) with the Sansibar on Sylt and German singer Udo Lindenberg (he creates the changing labels).

Light straw yellow. Already at first smell a very sweet bouquet. Ripe, tropical fruits. I’m thinking banana and honeydew melon. On the palate, the opulent sweetness pairs with the light acidity of red apples and a fresh citrus flavour. All in all, round and balanced with good drinkability. Great patio wine for the sunnier days ahead! DM87.

DE: Aus der alljährlichen Kooperation des Weinguts Markus Schneider in der Pfalz mit der Sansibar auf Sylt und Udo Lindenberg (von ihm stammen die wechselnden Etiketten).

Helles Strohgelb. Schon beim ersten Riechen ein sehr süßes Bukett. Reife, tropische Früchte. Ich denke da an Banane und Honigmelone. Am Gaumen paart sich die opulente Süße mit der leichten Säure roter Äpfel und einem frischen Zitrusgeschmack. Alles in allem rund und ausgewogen mit gutem Trinkfluss. Prima Terrassenwein für die sonniger werdenden Tage! DM87.

2020 Markus Schneider Udo Lindenberg Chardonnay "only Sansibar"
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2020 Friedrich Becker Grauer Burgunder

EN: Pinot Gris from vines 15 to 35 years old. The wine is clear in the glass, with a golden to light pink salmon colour. Obviously, the grape juice was left on the skins for a few days before being drained. On the nose, citrus, ripe stone fruit and a nutty sweetness that suggests the wine was partially aged in wooden barrels. Roasted almond or caramel rather than vanilla, though. Juicy mouthfeel with medium body. Grapefruit dominates the palate with a lively acidity that lingers long in the mouth and a slight bitterness. Overall, a good Pinot Gris that I liked for its strong acidity that made it neither too pleasing nor too fat. Not a wine to store, but to drink today. DM87.

DE: Grauburgunder von 15 bis 35 Jahre alten Rebstöcken. Der Wein ist klar im Glas und hat eine goldene bis leicht rosafarbene Lachsfarbe. Offensichtlich wurde der Traubensaft einige Tage auf den Schalen belassen, bevor er abgezogen wurde. In der Nase Zitrusfrüchte, reifes Steinobst und eine nussige Süße, die darauf schließen lässt, dass der Wein teilweise in Holzfässern gelagert wurde. Allerdings eher geröstete Mandeln oder Karamell als Vanille. Saftiges Mundgefühl mit mittlerem Körper. Am Gaumen dominiert die Grapefruit mit einer lebendigen Säure, die lange im Mund verweilt, und einer leichten Bitterkeit. Insgesamt ein guter Grauburgunder, der mir aufgrund seiner kräftigen Säure gefällt, die ihn weder zu gefällig noch zu fett macht. Kein Wein zum Lagern, sondern zum heute Trinken. DM87.

2020 Friedrich Becker Grauer Burgunder
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2018 Château de Ribebon Secret de Ribebon

EN: A cuvée from Domaines Alain Aubert made from 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Purple colour. In the nose, spicy wood notes and a little bit of liquorice, but also soft aromas of elderberry and vanilla. On the fruity side, I get strawberries and dark berries. The mouthfeel is dry and conveys a medium body. The tannins are already well integrated. A pleasant acidity gives the wine freshness without disturbing. Although not low at 14%, the alcohol content is not intrusive. The taste reveals a mix of beetroot and blackberry. The finish is of medium length. This is a pleasant red wine to enjoy without much fuss. Drink between now and 2024. DM87.

DE: Eine Cuvée der Domaines Alain Aubert aus 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc und 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Violette Farbe. In der Nase würzige Holznoten und ein wenig Lakritze, aber auch weiche Aromen von Holunder und Vanille. Auf der fruchtigen Seite entdecke ich Erdbeeren und dunkle Beeren. Das Mundgefühl ist trocken und vermittelt einen mittleren Körper. Die Tannine sind bereits gut integriert. Eine angenehme Säure verleiht dem Wein Frische, ohne zu stören. Obwohl der Alkoholgehalt mit 14% nicht niedrig ist, ist er nicht aufdringlich. Der Geschmack zeigt eine Mischung aus Roter Bete und Brombeere. Der Abgang ist von mittlerer Länge. Ein angenehmer Rotwein, den man ohne viel Aufhebens genießen kann. Zu trinken zwischen jetzt und 2024. DM87.

2018 Château de Ribebon Secret de Ribebon
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2020 Dönnhoff Riesling Tonschiefer trocken

EN: Elegant Riesling from the Leistenberg in Oberhausen on the Nahe, Fair’N Green, 12.0%. Soft and creamy on the nose, pleasant mineral note. On the palate, a fresh acidity of green apples and limes. More fruity, peach on the finish. DM87.

DE: Eleganter Riesling aus dem Leistenberg in Oberhausen an der Nahe, Fair’N Green, 12,0%. In der Nase weich und cremig, angenehme mineralische Note. Am Gaumen eine frische Säure von grünen Äpfeln und Limetten. Eher fruchtig, Pfirsich im Abgang. DM87.