1976

[Randy Caparoso]

Hot year, considerable botrytis (the mold that concentrates grapes), and lower than normal acidity added up to a year of rich, immensely aromatic and friendly wines all over Germany. Unfortunately, the acidity and tilt towards botrytis made most of the wines from that vintage best to drink within 10 years (with the exception of just a few Mosel-Saar-Ruwers). For the Pfalz, '76 is a tad old. The better wines may be hanging by a thread, but they certainly are not getting better. Drink and enjoy -- for sentiment as much as interest.