Bright, tartly and bitterly-edged black fruits in the Mann 2008 Pinot Noir Clos de la Faille – which was entirely destemmed, and reached only 12.5% alcohol – mingle with salt and chalk on a firm yet juicy palate, and finish with lip-smacking persistence, if admittedly a certain sense of austerity as well. Plan on giving this very pure-fruited, handsomely lean Pinot a couple of years in bottle and drinking it at age 3-5. Although Maurice and Jacky Barthelme continued to pick their 2009 Rieslings into October and achieved satisfyingly ripe flavors, they did so without suffering high alcohol or unbalanced sweetness. Unsurprisingly (whether or not verifiably), they implicate the accumulated experience and effects of a biodynamic regimen in these results. Equally importantly, the levels of acidity in their 2009 Rieslings are ample and efficacious. With Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, they were forced to discharge high must weights in the form of almost universally high residual sugar, with attractive if seldom distinguished results. The Mann 2008s are characterized by particularly concentrated and positively efficacious acidity, all of the Rieslings weighing-in at what on paper might look like an excessive 9 grams or more. Not only have the Barthelme brothers been together now for 21 vintages – to me it still seems like yesterday that I “discovered” their 1988s – but they point out that most of their present crew has been together for nearly a decade, which is bound to have been instrumental in their having been able to repeatedly expand into new vineyards without sacrificing the highest standards, not to mention with their enthusiasm still youthful.Importer: Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA; tel. (610) 486-0800

Exotic Indian spices wind through fresh flavors of black cherry and plum in this refined red. A subtle sanguine note adds character, right through to the lightly smoked finish. Drink now through 2012. 25 cases imported.??–AN??Region: France / Alsace Select to Add