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$17.95
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IWC 88
WA 87
France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $24.00
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88 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(14% alcohol, 24 g/l r.s. and 4.4 acidity) Pale, green-tinged yellow. Varietally expressive aromas of lichee, smoked meat, brown spices and rose petal. Silky-smooth and sweet, with spice and meat flavors similar to the aromas. An easygoing and open-knit wine of good but not outstanding clarity and intensity, finishing with a light dusting of tannins and alcohol under control. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
87 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$24 list] Overtly sweet even at 14% alcohol, the Mann 2009 Gewurztraminer incorporates much of this year’s crop from the Altenbourg. Celery seed, litchi, rose petal, and saline, marine breeze in the nose lead to a full, subtly creamy, palpably low-acid, but fortunately persistently juicy palate, finishing somewhat simple and obviously sweet. Jacky Barthelme insists 'this is too good for a generic,' and I sympathize in terms of his willingness to declassify cru material, but in terms of the wine’s performance, it seems to me to have been classed correctly. Drink it over the next several years. (May 2011)"
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$13.95
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WS 88
IWC 87
WA 87
France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $18.00
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88 points Wine Spectator: "This displays fine balance between earth and salt notes and lemon curd, white peach and white pepper flavors. It's subtly juicy, with good layers of flavor set in a light-bodied frame. Drink now through 2012. 900 cases imported. (4/30/11)"
87 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Straw-yellow. Musky soft citrus fruits, hazelnut and spring flowers on the nose. Fat, supple and slightly sweet, but with good shape to its creamy stone fruit and spice flavors. A persistent, easygoing midweight with modest complexity. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
87 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$18 list] A roughly 70-30 Auxerrois-true Pinot blend as usual, the Mann 2009 Pinot Blanc is juicily laden with honeydew and musk melon, soft in feel, and attractively tinged with herbs and orange zest. Enjoy it over the next 12-18 months. (May 2011)"
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$17.95
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WS 90
IWC 88
WA 88
France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $24.00
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90 points Wine Spectator: "[$24 list] A pretty, aromatic white, this finds a fine fit for its delicate flavors of honeydew melon, peach, orange zest and spice. Dry and tangy, with lovely purity of flavor and balance. Drink now through 2016. 150 cases imported. (2/28/11)"
88 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$24 list] Bright light-medium yellow. Aromas of yellow peach, ginger and smoke, with a spicy component building with air. Moderately sweet (9 g/l r.s.) but with a sound, nicely buffered spine of acidity lending support. Shows the fruity side of the variety and finishes off-dry, with good dusty persistence. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
88 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "Lemon, orange and basil scent the Mann 2009 Riesling Cuvee Albert in a Muscat-like manner -- a resemblance that persists on a pungent, yet generously juicy palate. There is a melon-rind bitterness that -- along with a hint of cinnamon basil -- add to the stimulation of the finish, and a good balance has been struck between 9 grams of residual sugar scarcely noticeable as such and a moderate 13.2% alcohol. (May 2011)"
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$27.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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Domaine Albert Boxler is a 300-year-old family estate in the small Alsace town of Niedermorschwihr, and is currently run by Albert’s 34-year-old grandson, Jean Boxler, who trained at France's top wine school, the University of Montpellier, and made his first vintage in 1995. The domaine’s 26 vineyard-acres include parts of the famed Grands Crus Sommerberg and Brand. Indeed, 80 percent of Boxler’s vines are Grand Cru. All grapes are grown organically, and about 5,000 cases of wine are produced annually. According to France magazine (Winter 2006/2007), "Boxler . . . crafts some of Alsace’s most exciting wines from grapes drawn entirely from its own . . . vineyards." This Cremant d'Alsace possesses a delicate nose of fresh flowers and bright fruit. On the palate, it has flavors of apple skin and brioche, with an elegant bubble and nutty aftertaste. Impeccably balanced.
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$18.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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A field blend featuring Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner and Pinot Gris, among other varieties. Pale, almost clear, yet lively, with subtle hints of tropical fruit and peaches on a base of slate. It has just a touch of sweetness, lovely aromatics and minerality, and good acidity.
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$31.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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Opus Vino: "A family affair for over 300 years, Boxler has a miniscule acreage of vines, but produces some of the small gems that entice the wine-lover with a grand expression of terroir and varietal character. (2010)"
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$24.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock,
11
available
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At first this wine is very tight, with almost steely acidity and piercingly sharp lemon/lime notes. But letting it breathe for several hours brings out a whole new level of flavors, with lots of peach and white fruits and more balanced citrus. Even the weight of the wine gets fatter as it opens up, delivering more ripe fruit into the finish. With a few years of ageing, the acidity will soften and add even prettier fruit complexity, but it's hard to beat now with almost any type of cheeses or poultry dish.
Bettane & Desseauve's Guide to the Wines of France: "Jean Boxler makes creative use of the granitic soils around Niedermorschwihr. Half of his parcels are located in the Sommerberg and Brand Grands Crus, each one providing the raw materials for a variety of cuvées that express all the subtle nuances at the heart of the individual terroirs... his Brand wines exhibit more power; his wines from the granitic terroirs around the village are concentrated and refined. All of the wines are made from ultraripe fruit and need a few years to mellow out. (2011)"
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$29.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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Aromas of ripe stone fruits and white flowers. On the palate, there is a distinct herbal quality, followed by ripe tropical and stone fruits, steely minerality and mouthwatering acidity. Beautifully balanced, this is textbook Alsace Riesling.
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$21.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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Jean Boxler's real winemaking genius shows brightly in his vinfication of the lesser varieties, and this Sylvaner is a perfect example. Usually relegated to "picnic wine" status, this Sylvaner is wine of impressive depth and complexity.
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$19.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $25.00
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Pinot Auxerrois 38%, Pinot Gris 35%, Pinot Noir 27%. Biodynamic farming and certified organic. Produced using the same method as Champagne. Aromas of peach and fig, with a whiff of eau de vie de framboise; quite powerful and structured on the palate with only the lightest dosage, this is an unusually ambitious effort.
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$21.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock,
8
available
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Producer notes: "Nuances of fresh roses, pineapple, clove and pepper. A dry Gewürztraminer with splendidly refined structure. Residual sugar 15 g/l."
David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate) writes of Dirler: "...one of the most frequently exciting -- and generally consistent -- sources of wine in Alsace, making it unfortunate that one doesn’t see Dirler-Cade wines more often in the U.S. Moreover, this is an estate that’s rendering highly distinctive; often deliciously unorthodox; but never fashion-pandering innovations while retaining a clear and constant vision of how the classic cepages of Alsace should perform in sites that can boast some of the longest -- not to mention most-deserved -- reputations of any in their region."
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$14.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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*SPECIAL: Take 10% Off Listed Price!
(We'll reduce item's price when processing your order.)
14.5/20 points Bettane & Deseauve Guide 2011: "A dry wine that has balance and volume; fat and fleshy on the palate with fine acidity. Very well done, perfect at the dinner table during the week. 7 g/l residual sugar. Serve with mussels."
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$14.95
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WA 88
France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $20.00
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88 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "The Dirler-Cade 2005 Pinot Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is true Pinot Blanc (or Klevner, as it is often locally known) with not a drop of Auxerrois. Apple and citrus dominate in the nose and mouth, with a hint of apple seed bitterness balanced by a subtle hint of sweetness, and a creamy, chalky, yet clear-fruited finish. (Jul/Aug 2007)" Organic/biodynamic since 2002 (certified by Biodyvin).
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$16.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock,
6
available
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*SPECIAL: Take 10% Off Listed Price!
(We'll reduce item's price when processing your order.) Light to medium straw color with a floral nose flecked with interesting minerality. On the palate, this is very generous with vivid orchard fruits and a pleasing medium body and compact, focused frame.
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$16.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock,
2
available
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*SPECIAL: Take 10% Off Listed Price!
(We'll reduce item's price when processing your order.) 87 points Mark Squires: "This is an interesting wine, in that it seems to have some contradictions. It is dry-ish, but it seems very rich, and I would suspect it was picked late. I wondered in fact if there was a bit of botrytis on it. There are caramel tinges on the finish, and if sugar is not very obvious, the richness of the wine is certainly apparent. Lush, and smoothly textured, it coats the mouth... (2008)"
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$33.95
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IWC 92
France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $38.00
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92 points Ian D'Agata (International Wine Cellar): "[$38 list] Straw-green. Captivating aromas of diesel fuel, apricot and crystallized ginger. Powerful in the typical Kessler style, with honeyed ginger and quince flavors boosted by bright acids. Finishes tactile and long. In 2010 this wine also contains the Wanne grapes, as the poor flowering precluded making a separate bottling from this site. (Nov/Dec 2012)"
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$33.95
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IWC 93
France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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93 points Ian D'Agata (International Wine Cellar): "Bright, pale straw-green. Very fresh citrus aromas are complicated by mineral, gin and tequila nuances. Enters acidic but harmonious, then shows sneaky concentration and length to its saline lime and lemon verbena flavors. Made from grapes harvested in two different tries three weeks apart and carrying only 3.8 g/l residual sugar. (Nov/Dec 2012)"
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$34.95
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IWC 91
WA 90
France
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Alsace
In stock,
9
available
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List $40.00
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91 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$40 list] Gold-tinged full yellow. Deeply pitched aromas of marzipan, honey, earth and menthol are lifted by a high-toned violet element. Fat, broad and slightly sweet (3 g/l r.s.); gentler and less penetrating today than the Kaefferkopf, with suave acidity already nicely integrated. This comes across as less dense than the Kaefferkopf, but I suspect that's simply a function of the wine's supple texture. Finishes with a light touch. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
90 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "Struck-flint smokiness typical of its site almost literally strike you in the nose from Meyer’s 2008 Riesling Schoenenbourg, and a hint of cassis leaf confirms the wine’s naturally reductive character (i.e., it’s the terroir, really!). Tart-skinned cassis fruit with fresh lime and crushed stone inform a palate of such sheer density that you can practically chew on its long, invigoratingly tart and piquant finish. This is to be sure more formidable than loveable. It needs to be set aside for at least 4-5 years and then savored over the subsequent 15. (May 2011)"
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$38.95
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WS 91
France
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Alsace
In stock,
3
available
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List $44.00
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91 points Wine Spectator: "Finely meshed and lithe, offering vibrant acidity and flavors of green melon, apple, white peach, spicy mineral and grapefruit zest. Well-balanced, with a lasting finish. Drink now through 2022. (6/27/12)"
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$23.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $28.00
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Wine Enthusiast: "[$28 list] Spice and cream dominate this attractive wine. With its full flavors of spice and pear, there is also a hint of flower. An attractive wine that is developing quickly. (Aug 2012)"
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$28.95
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WS 92
France
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Alsace
In stock,
10
available
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List $45.00
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92 points Wine Spectator: "[$45 list] An elegant, minerally Riesling, with pretty notes of fresh flowers, ripe apricot, clementine, cantaloupe and sweet smoke. Offers finely wrought acidity that results in a lacy texture and leaves a long, mouthwatering impression. Drink now through 2024. 400 cases made. (10/15/11)"
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$15.95
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WS 90
WA 88
IWC 88
France
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Alsace
In stock, 12+ available
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List $22.00
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90 points Wine Spectator: "[$22 list] This creamy white shows fine balance and a range of flavors, including persimmon, white peach, nutmeg and cardamom. Well-integrated, citrusy acidity courses throughout, with a lingering, spice-driven finish. Drink now through 2013. 100 cases imported. (4/30/11)"
88 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "Whereas his wine from this traditional variety -- typically scorned in France on account of its role as a table grape -- often tastes Pinot Gris-like, Schoffit’s 2009 Chasselas Vieilles Vignes exhibits pungent marjoram, celery seed, smoked meat, and brown spice aromas that put me in mind of Gewurztraminer. Lush and expansive but persistently juicy, this finishes with a lovely reprise of herbs and spices as well as a mouthwatering hint of salinity. It should remain delightful for the next 3-5 years. (May 2011)"
88 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$22 list] Bright yellow. Expressive aromas of pepper, ginger and cured meats: gew u rztraminer meets gr u ner veltliner. Supple, moderately sweet and easygoing, with an intriguing saline quality to the spiced meat flavors. Perked up by some CO2 but still quite pliant. This intriguing wine shows the fat of the vintage but finishes fairly dry. I'd enjoy it in the near term. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
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$13.95
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France
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Alsace
In stock,
9
available
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16.5/20 points La Revue du Vin de France (2008).
Domaine Valentin Zusslin, a 13 hectare property located in the quaint Alsacian town of Orchwihr, has a history dating back to 1691. The Bollenberg vineyard has clay and limestone soils. This wine exhibits spot on Gewürz aromas of lychee and rose. Good acids balance the substantial fruit on the palate. Great aperitif.
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$46.95
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WA 92
IWC 91
WS 91
France
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Alsace
In stock,
1
available
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List $57.00
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92 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "Exclusively from the oldest vines in this generally late-ripening, chalky site, the 2004 Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl was picked already in early October because Humbrecht didn't think it worth waiting for the inevitable onset of possibly less-than-noble botrytis that rain would bring. This fermented at a snail's pace and wasn't even racked for nearly a year. Yellow plum, baked cherry, white raisin, and hints of mint in the nose lead to a pure, rich palate with a primary juiciness, even-tempered acidity, and soothing richness that set it apart from its 2004 Pinot Gris stable mates. Nut oils and chalky minerality lend depth of flavor. With 'only' 14% alcohol thanks to 28 grams residual sugar, this nevertheless evinces a touch of finishing heat, though only subtle sweetness. It should be worth cellaring for at least 10-12 years. (Feb 2008)"
91 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$57 list; 28 g/l r.s.] Yellow-gold color. Complex nose offers smoke, minerals, brown spices and sultana raisin. Sweet and supple on entry, then impressively penetrating in the middle, with brisk acids framing the lemon and mineral flavors. Finishes very sweet and very long. Humbrecht declassified a lot of Clos Windsbuhl fruit into his generic pinot gris to preserve the quality of this bottling."
91 points Wine Spectator: "Off-dry, big and lush. Sunny apricot, mango and citrus notes are the main themes, with good underlying acidity. Finishes with a pleasant bitterness. Drink now through 2010. 660 cases made. (10/15/06)"
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