Weingut Friedrich Becker

Although only the pinot noirs from this estate are currently seen in the United States, the white wines that account for over 40% of the total production have improved noticeably over the past few years, as the excellent 2010 Pinot Gris Kalkmergel so clearly testifies. It was one of the best of its kind in this vintage. That said, even pinot noir is not something that most Americans associate with Germany. These, though, along with those of Bernard Huber in Baden, are the cream of the crop, and so Burgundian in style that in a blind tasting you would be forgiven for believing that you were drinking Echezeaux. Also recommended: 2010 Weissburgunder Kalkgestein (86), 2010 Weissburgunder Enggasse (88), 2010 Weissburgunder Halbstuck (88), 2010 Schweigener Chardonnay (85), 2010 Grauburgunder Kalkmergel (92), 2009 Schweigener Sonnenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs (87), 2009 Spatburgunder Kalkgestein (88), 2009 Spatburgunder Steinwingert (89), 2009 Spatburgunder Rechtenbach (91), 2009 Spatburgunder Herrschaftswingert (92), 2009 Spatburgunder Herrschaftswingert SL (92), 2009 Spatburgunder Res (94), 2007 Salome Sekt Brut.Other wines tasted: 2010 Riesling Trocken, 2010 Schweigener Muskateller, 2007 Salome Rose Sekt Brut.