Rheinhessen Red

If you ask anyone to list the red wine areas of Germany...Rheinhessen would come in at about number seven. This is where white wine has priority. I like searching these 'lesser' areas...finding a property that maybe has a Spätburgunder hidden away....
Kühling-Gillot Oppenheimer Kreuz
Spätburgunder Grosses Gewächs Barrique 2006
Rheinhessen, Germany
Carolin Spanier-Gillot and Hans Oliver Spanier are the pair behind this property...that is improving annually....50% of the vines being Riesling. This vineyard faces south-west and gets it's fair share of sun and warmth...and only one of two Grosses Gewächs vineyards in Rheinhessen. Their 'simple' SB is well worth buying at €10,--
Medium colour...pale Pinot rim...grainy nose...herbaceous and a touch of eucalyptus..and what the nose anticipates becomes reality on the palate...a mouth watering juiciness...full berry fruits..a slender feel to this one though....sleek...layed-back..and shows potential to improve.
Points 17

PS...I like Pinot Noir with a delicate Thai curry....they compliment each other so well...

Becker Boom Boom Lemberger

Seeger Lemberger 'R' 2007
Baden, Germany
The property is in Leimen, near Heidelberg..and the main claim to fame of the town is that Boris Becker was born here....which gives me the chance to tell my favourite Becker 'story'.
Boris got married recently and he was searching for a house in London. He has found one... 1 Dining Room, 2 Bedrooms...and 20 Broom Cupboards!
OK..back to business....Leimen is also north Baden.......Württemberg is in view..if you know what I mean. The grape Lemberger has it's German home there...it's brother is also 'a la maison' in Austria going by the name of Blaufrankisch. Now..Seeger interests me..the recent Cuvée Anna had pleased..so I decided to buy his Blauer Spärburgunder 'R' 2007...and it sits in my cellar..waiting for it's master. On the merchant's list was today's wine..so I was tempted. Now...what I like about the grape is when it is lighter in style...like a medium Bordeaux.....the impression here is that it is a little thick...it spends 18 months in oak..hence getting an 'R' for it's loss of light over that period..it is slightly gritty..which is fine for me..cigar-like smell..again fine by me.....red berry fruit..just maybe a touch too plump..and it ain't cheap at € 30,--. So...I'll cross the 'border' next time I get that Lemberger craving.
Points 16.25