1999 Walporzheim Kräuterberg Spätburgunder Auslese trocken Versteigerungswein 2000, Ahr, Germany

Deep ruby to garnet red, just starting to lighten. The bouquet is initially subdued, but shows complex and persistent aromas of partly dried red and black berries, plums and cherries, with a a smoky, oak aroma with roast notes, with time it develops minerally spice. Highly concentrated, dense, juicy and full-bodied fruit, trmendous extract, lots of oak tannins and cold smoke, quite fine tannins, big body with clearly apparent high alcohol. However, the ripe, fleshy fruit comes through with time. What initially looks like a lack of finesse opens up after aeration, gaining complexity and depth, very persistent and with a very long finish.

Best to drink: Up to 2007. What our ratings mean