When most people think of German wine they think riesling. That’s fair… they do produce a lot of riesling and it tends to be pretty good riesling too. Some wine aficionados will also associate Germany with other white wines, like müller-thurgau or sylvaner. And those are also some tasty wines. But many people never think of Germany as a place for red wines, yet they do create some delicious ones. And the third most-planted variety in Germany is Spätburgunder, which is the German name for pinot noir.
Yes, Germany produces some tasty pinot noir and it’s something you may have overlooked all these years. It grows well in the same areas as riesling and as such is often competing for real estate. Therefore, you don’t see as much of it as you otherwise might.
This is one such pinot noir. Not only is this one good, but with a giant embossed monkey hugging the bottle it also wins the award for the freakiest wine bottle design I have ever seen! I know critters on wine labels tend to help sales, but this one is a little out of hand! Nonetheless, the wine is pretty darn good.
The color of this wine is a light brownish-red that looks a little older than it is. However it still smells fresh, with powerful spice and perfume/floral aromas layered over strawberry, cherry and raspberry. The palate also offers plenty of ripe fruit flavors like cranberry, raspberry and wild cherries. There is a touch of bitterness, hence the “wild” cherries. The acidity is sufficient and the mouthfeel is pleasant. It finishes with lingering wild cherry flavors. Overall, it has a unique personality and I like it.
Wine: Affentaler Valley of the Monkey Pinot Noir
Variety: Pinot noir
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 12.5%
Rating: 85
Price: $17.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.
Find Affentaler Valley of the Monkey Pinot Noir with Snooth