2008 Neuenahr Sonnenberg Spätburgunder trocken, Ahr, Germany

Clear nose of red berries, some cherries and cassis with nutty traces, dried mushrooms and a hint of licorice. Clear, quite polished, slightly mature fruit, bitter oak notes, quite fine, partly slightly astringent tannins, good persistence, mushy and dried vegetal notes, also a bit earthy, not heavy despite the high alcohol, good, if slightly bitterish-woody again and drying finish.

Best to drink: Bis 2015. What our ratings mean