Domaine Weinbach, Alsace, Cuvee Theo, Gewurztraminer 2006 There’s an intense amount of roses and minerality in the nose. The palate has moderate levels of residual sugar and is quite lusch, thick and rich. The grapes for this wine come from the domaine’s Clos des Capucins in Kaysersberg. Mis en bouteille in Kaysersberg 14% $42.99 at [...]

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Domaine Marcel Deiss, Alsace, Burg 2002 The wine has aged prematurely with a cork that failed to seal completely. Unfortunately, the fruit is drying out and there’s a bit of nail polish. There’s bruised peach character in the mouth and bitterness with the light residual sugar. It’s too bad the cork let this wine down. [...]

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Verget, Macon Villages, “Grand Elevage” 2006 There’s a mix of minerality and doughy notes in the nose while the mouth is steely with a bit of slipperiness coating the tongue, adding richness to the austerity. From Jean-Marie Guffen, whose Chardonnays have been a consistent spot-on value in notes back to the 2003 vintage. Vinifie et [...]

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When Vacu-Dry ceased operations in Sebastopol, California, many bemoaned the continuing decline of the apple industry in Sonoma’s West County region. Yet from those ashes many a high-flying phoenix has taken flight.
The large and rather dingy industrial complex that used to house Vacu-Dry has been turned into a rabbit warren of artisan winemakers, each with [...]

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Thomas Fogarty, Monterey, Gewurztraminer 2003
Kudos to Fogarty for continuing to produce this wine. Earlier this summer we tasted the ‘06 which was showing these youthful characteriestics: spicy floral notes, a hint of RS and the taste of fresh lychee - a very fresh style of Gewurz. .4% RS. With this wine we travel back [...]

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Domaine Weinbach Alsace Grand Cru Schlossberg Riesling 2006
This wine is the middle offering of the domaine’s Rieslings designed for savoury food. There’s a beautiful perfume , lots of flowers and Riesling’s characteristic racy acidity. This dry wine is very concentrated. Mis en bouteille a la propriete a Kaysersberg 13.5% $42.99 at Bottle Barn Weinbach
Thomas Fogarty [...]

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Though often talked about in the same breath, these two grapes are quite dissimiliar.
Esterlina Cole Ranch Dry Riesling 2006
Concentrated stone fruit wrapped in acidity - long, great, delicious. P&B in Healdsburg 13.8% $14.99 at Bottle Barn Esterlina
Elena Walch Alto Adige Gewurztraminer DOC 2006
Lots of spicy rose, broad and with a touch of classic Gwz bitterness. [...]

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Perhaps the next best thing to wine; anyone who has made wine knows how delicious this is. Yes, I’m talking about freshly crushed grape juice. Navarro has longed shared this specialty with the rest of the world and tonight we sample both. Not a drop of alcohol is in either bottle. They are produced and [...]

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Navarro Anderson Valley Estate Bottle Dry Muscat 2006
This wine has consistently dazzled with the ebulent smell of Muscat in a dry format. Tonight it is perfect again. P&B in the little hamlet of Philo 13.5% $19 at the winery Navarro
Sauvignon Republic Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006
The Russian River bottling has shown itself [...]

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Harvest Moon Russian River Valley Dry Gewurztraminer 2007
Estate grown fruit and some oak treatment. G, P&B in Santa Rosa. 12.5% $?? at the winery, winery sample Harvest Moon
Rosemount Estate South Eastern Australia Traminer Riesling 2005
65% Gewurz and 35% Riesling. P&B in Denman in New South Wales. 11.5% $4.99 at Bottle Barn Rosemount

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How about Pinot Blanc, Dry Riesling and powerful Gewurztraminer?
Cantina Terlano Alto Adige Pinot Bianco DOC 2006
This wine has been consistently fresh and aromatic and it is again. Estate Bottled in Terlano 13% $13.69 at Bottle Barn Terlano
Domaine Weinbach Alsace Riesling Reserve Personnelle 2005
The last time tasted in 2007 my notes stated simply, structured Riesling with [...]

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Steve Bird Marlborough Old Schoolhouse Vineyard Gewurztraminer 2006
P&B in Tauranga 13.5% $12.49 at Bottle Barn Steve Bird
Lucien Albrecht Alsace Gewurztraminer Reserve 2006
Winemaker and proprietor Jean Albrecht. Bottled in Orschwihr 13% $14.49 at Bottle Barn Albrecht

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Holdredge Russian River Valley Saralee’s Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2006
36.4 Brix at harvest and 10.2% RS, P&B Healdsburg 13.65% $26.99 at Bottle Barn (375ml) Holdgredge
Davis Family Russian River Valley Rapport Fortified Old Vine Zinfandel Dessert Wine 2005
V&B Healdsburg 16.8% $26.99 (375ml) at Bottle Barn Davis Family

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Gewurztraminer has its detractors out there, yet I remain a fan. This flight features two regions that embrace this variety, Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley and sunny Alsace in the eastern reaches of France.
Handley Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer 2006
This wine radiates roses and parfume, in a light-bodied format with a hint of RS, classic touch of bitterness [...]

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