1976

[Robban]

Interesting hearing your opinions. The consensus seems to be drink up - to which I agree. My most recent meetings with 76's was in 1992 when they were absolutly excellent. Since then I have not stumbled upon them anywhere.

Having been there many times I find collecting wines in the Pfalz quite interesting and very inexpensive. I found that when in California in 1996 that wines seemed to cost more at the winery than in the shops. Germany is still just the opposite. Average wines are from 5-7 marks and good wines from 7-12 marks. Excellent wines, well...they are excellent and cost thereafter.

From Forst, Deidesheim and Ruppertburg very good ausleses at about 10 DEM and Beerenausleses (full bottles) for 19 DEM.

1986 Spätlese Bronze medel for 6 DEM.

My 1976s cost 19 - 20 - 21 DEM except for the full bottle Beerenauslese at 35 DEM.

And so we filled up the car and replenished our celler of German whites.

This year it was very HOT now in september. The grapes were beginning to dry out - watering is prohibited. Too early to say but in Deidesheim they hoped for a good vintage.