A. Diehl, Dornfedler Rotwein Trocken 2014, Pfalz, Germany

Tasting Note: Dornfelder is Germany’s most successful grape-varietal cross since Muller Thurgau and it’s rapidly becoming Germany’s most-planted red wine targeted primarily for internal consumption.

If you see one of the rare bottles that manages to escape the country – try it.

Deep ruby in color this wine has a nose of black cherry, black plum and black currant.

On the palate the wine is dry, medium-plus bodied, with aromas on the nose continuing as flavors on the palate along with a few faint hints of residual sweetness and orange citrus.

A tart, black fruit layer of medium-plus acidity checkered with chalk rides underneath the dornfelder and ultimately completes with a medium-plus finish.

The wine is mostly straightforward, yet enjoyable in its own dimension even as I enjoyed the 2013 vintage a bit more.