I'd say I taste more German Spätburgunder than almost anyone else on this forum. There are some very, very good producers and many of the others are now learning that extraction, oak, and alcohol are not what Pinot Noir is all about. So lots of hope for the future.
At the low-end of prices, there can be some remarkable-value negociant Pinot Noirs from the likes of J. L. Wolf and Valckenberg (˜$12-15 in the U.S.).
A step above, there are also very good values from some of the best producers.
But at the upper end, it becomes tougher. Fürst and Huber right now are my top two (with a good number not far behind), and they straddle top premier cru/grand cru for Burgundy. Although their prices may seem high for non-Burgundy Pinot Noir, compared to Burgundy, the prices are just (although smart buyers can still find very good values from Burgundy from less familiar names and appellations). But not screaming values.
Thanks for this helpful overview Claude. I'd be interested to hear about those very good values from top producers you mention.
FWIW last night I started the tasting with Furst (Huber was at the next table but none of their wines had prices, so I'm afraid I skipped them) They were showing the 2015s Burgstadter Berg, Klingenberg, Centgrafenberg GG, Schlossberg GG and Hunsruck GG, with prices 135,140,285,365 and 530 gbp for 6 ib. These were bottled in February and April (for GGs) and are around 13.5%, with whole clusters 40%--->100% across the range if I understood correctly. The colour was very light on all of them, in sharp contrast to many 2015 burgundies.
The first two were good enjoyable pinots, the BB a bit more smoky and spicy, the K a tad more fruity (gooseberries crossed with red currants?) but overall both quite masculine - a little new-worldy but quite elegant and not overblown. If I had to compare (somewhat pointlessly) to burgundy I'd say village Fixin perhaps? The C GG, was on the night relatively the weakest - perhaps it was having a bad day - I didn't see much by way of step up compared to the first two. S GG was fuller on the mouth with gooseberries and red currants again longer and more persistent on the aftertaste ending in a nice tight grip. Pointless burgundy comparison: a lieut-dit in Pommard? The H GG was showing well, some smoky framboise on the nose a bit more tannins quite closed but should be fun when it opens up. PBC: minor Morey 1er cru?
Claude, it would be interesting to know what these wines are like in other years. 2015 was hot, these wines didn't seem to suffer from that, but perhaps there is more elegance in other vintages?
So four good wines, but at the end of the day have to look at the prices. Remembering that Burgundy 2015 ep prices are very fruity, you still could have had for example top 1er Savigny for less than the first two, very good 1er NSG from high end producers for the third wine, Faivley's Cazetier was at a similar price to the fourth wine, and by the time you reach 530 ib for 6 you are spoiled for choice.