Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris
Mostly imported, we've rarely been impressed with the domestic stuff

'95 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurz VT "Herrenweg": Every once in a while we have a wine which is really better on its own, as food rather than with food. The Herrenweg qualifies, as we found to our distress. We eased that distress by consuming a bottle rapidly, pausing to note the sheer amplitude, the pretty good level of acidity (for gewurz VTs these days), and the intensely honeyed ginger-snap sweetness. My biggest delight was the gravel in the finish, quite distinctive. On its own terms, a great bottle. SY (8/99)

'94 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris "Rotenberg": A lovely golden potion, fat and quite sweet, with the usual pear-tart pinot gris flavors being highlighted by an almost gewurz-like spiciness. It overwhelmed the masala dosa we tried pairing it with. SY (7/99)

'94 Schlumberger Gewurztraminer "Kitterle": The Kitterle is always one of our favorite gewurzes. The deal here is exceedingly rich fruit, very broad and expansive flavors, and a long finish. Great stuff with years of life ahead. SY (5/99)

'95 Bott-Geyl Gewurztraminer "Sonnenglanz": Tighter and less giving than the Schlumberger, the B-G has fine flavors, a creamy texture, a nice bitter "ting!" on the finish and an attractive smoky aspect, but lacks the mouthfilling qualities that we like the most. Perhaps a few years of aging will give this a bit more generosity, but for now, we're buying more Kitterle. SY (5/99)

See also "Alsace and Indian"

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