Becker Family Pfalz Pinot Noir 2010, $19.99
This wine is a classic case of what I’d call “weekender” – meaning this light bodied red needed a Saturday opening to reveal its true character by Sunday dinner. Given the fact that this wine is a qualitatswein, or late harvest bottling, it was no surprise the initial Saturday sips hit me up front with concentrated, nearly overripe cherry & strawberry flavors. In that sense, it was like seeing Jane’s Addiction at the Wilma last year where I expected them to open with the atmospherics of Up the Beach, but I got a song no one knows off their new album instead. In other words, it’s good wine, but with a first impression that leaves a little to be desired. Yet, by Sunday night, the over-the-top zip of the fruitiness had mellowed, pairing well with venison tenderloin and grilled asparagus – the equivalent of when Jane’s hit the high points of their early 90s catalog, taking me to a more comfortable and expected spot. This wine requires a bit of patience, but give it a few hours and it transforms into an easy weekender perfect for Sunday night.
