Sharon’s Wine Pick of the Week: Reichsrat Von Buhl Pinot Noir 2008

Reichsrat Von Buhl Pinot Noir 2008, Germany, $14.99
 
I’ve been reading a lot about the exceptional quality of German wines, so I was elated to see this German pinot noir at a wine tasting in Sierra Madre this week.  After tasting a sampling of pinot noirs from around the world—France, Oregon, Chile, California—this one really stood out.  It first presented itself on the nose and palate with that wet soil—mushroom quality, but then the fruit just rang through the wine like a crystal bell in a damp forest.  Notes of cherry, strawberry and even blueberry shone through, but not overly sweet, concentrated or dramatic.  And then this pinot finished with an herbal, foresty sort of quality that I adored.  The lovely garnet color and balanced body of the wine—a nice acidity without much tannins—were a delight.  All in all, I found this German pinot, with a nice long finish, to be complex and rewarding, especially considering the price: $14.99!  I don’t know how easy it is to find this intriguing wine in U.S. wine shops, but if you’re lucky enough to spot a few bottles scoop them up.  I think it would be wonderful paired with a savory mushroom dish—like my Kale Shitake Bowl—or an earthy lentil stew with root vegetables.  I give it a score of 92.


Saturday, December 8, 2012