2011 Muhr-van der Niepoort Spitzerberg Blaufrankisch

92 POINTS

Anne Krebiehl MW - The Wine Enthusiast

A great purity of lifted, wild blackberry, fringed by ivy leaves, makes a lasting impression on this mysterious, ethereal wine. Deeper down lurk darker notes of smoke, elderberry, tar and flint. A slender body with fresh acidity destines this for the table: wherever intriguing aromatics are required, this is the wine.

91 POINTS

Joel B. Payne - Vinous

Points: 91+? Rich bouquet of redcurrant, wild herbs and woodsmoke. Dense and gently sweet, with flavors of black cherry, licorice and white pepper, the 2011 Spitzerberg is a massive block of wine that is just beginning to unfold. Made from a warmer vintage, the 2011s tend to be rich and powerful. Today this wine comes across as a touch disjointed as if were in a transitional phase. I have given this wine 92 points at two previous tastings and trust that it will continue to improve over the coming years.

Jancis Robinson MW

RS 1 g/l. Planted at 390 m elevation. Annual rainfall of 400 mm. The soil consists of pure limestone. For this wine, only grapes from 45–65 year old vines have been chosen. Hand harvested and foot trodden. 20 months maturation in large traditional wooden vats, the wine is bottled without any fining or filtration.Really mineral on the distinctive nose immediately. Very different from most but with berry compote appeal. Lots of cassis vegetation too. Score: 16.5/20

Jancis Robinson MW

RS 1 g/l. Lots of energy and terroir in this sophisticated wine. Racy, lots of acid. Blaufränkisch is just the medium, not the message. Score: 17+/20