German Spätburgunder producers largely have moved away from the heavy use of oak. I’m sorry to say that there seems to have been some backsliding with the Ahr wines in 2019.
Frühburgunder is a variant of Pinot Noir that matures earlier. The wines differ little, if any, from classic Pinot Noir.
BURGGARTEN
2019 (Neunahr) Sonnenberg Frühburgunder GG
Earthy, oak-like nose. Mouth is silky, red currants, refreshing, medium-weight. 90/B+
DEUTZERHOF
2019 (Mayschoss) Mönchberg Frühburgunder GG
Spicy nose, possibly a bit of brett. Smooth, medium-light, less structure than the two other Frühburgunder, but not deficient. 87?/B-
Jean STODDEN
2019 (Rech) Herrenberg Frühburgunder GG
Earthy nose, less oak than the Sonnenberg. Mouth is medium-weight, more tannin than Sonnenberg, darker fruit. Can take a few years’ cellaring. 87+/B-
Spätburgunder, of course, is the German name for classic Pinot Noir.
BURGGARTEN
2019 (Heimersheim) Burggarten Spätburgunder GG
Toasty nose. Medium-light in weight, red and dark fruits, some tannins. Not really harmonious. 86/C
2019 (Neuenahr) Schieferlay Spätburgunder GG
Fairly heavy oak overlay in nose and mouth. Medium-weight, somewhat light on tongue, spicy, not much fruit, expression. 85/D
DEUTZERHOF
2019 (Neuenahr) Kirchtürmchen Spätburgunder GG
Some charcoal in nose and mouth, medium-weight, a touch gritty, not much fruit expression. 86/C
2019 (Heimersheim) Landskrone Spätburgunder GG
Charcoal nose. Medium-weight, spicy red fruits, some tannins, some oak. Needs several years. 86/C
MEYER-NÄKEL
2019 (Neuenahr) Sonnenberg Spätburgunder GG
Meaty nose — brett? — but not unpleasant. Dark fruits, smooth texture, light, fresh, some tannins for aging. 88?/B