2015 Spätburgunder Grand Duc, Ahr, Germany

Fairly mature nose, malted notes, undergrowth and some tobacco, mature, ripe, partly preserved and dried mixed berries, dried floral and vegretal aromas, mushrooms lentils, earthy notes, moderate, delicately sooty oak. Ripe, juicy, partly preserved fruit on the palate, more slightly sooty and smoky oak, fine sandy tannins, still slightly astringent, creamy, but also has some bite, good substance and persistence, hint of bacon in the background, slightly jammy notes, slightly noticeable warm alcohol, earthy and mineral traces, becomes more firm and more juicy with aeration, still quite challenging at this stage, very good, fairly juicy and smoky finish.

Best to drink: 2018-2023+ What our ratings mean