2005 Altenberg de Bergheim
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Tasting notes
Golden apricot in color, the 2005 Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim shows a great, deep, clear and complex nose with perfectly ripe, yellow-fleshed stone fruit, orange tea and tropical fruit aromas intertwined with white pepper and mineral, but also spicy, flavors form the skins. Full-bodied, finessed and highly elegant on the palate, this is a vibrant, fascinatingly clear, finessed, precise and mineral-piquant Altenberg with perfect concentration and a mouthwatering salinity in the finish. The tannins are fine, perfectly integrated and, in combination with the salinity and freshness, give the 2005 its remarkable, food-friendly structure. This is truly great wine, not in terms of power, but balance, concentration, tension, finesse and elegance. It will age for decades, although it drinks dangerously well even today, at the age of 17.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Light gold color. Reticent but wonderfully pristine aromas of pear, nectarine and pineapple. A supersweet fruit bomb in the mouth: this enters bright, then explodes to saturate the palate with pure fruit salad flavors enlivened by firm acidity. I wouldn't describe this as complex, yet, but the fruit expression here is utterly captivating. Very long and sweet on the aftertaste, with no shortage of grip. This really showcases the fruity character of this vintage.