Domaine Zind Humbrecht, Alsace, Clos Jebsal, Selection de Grains Nobles, Pinot Gris There’s honey, caramel and minerals in the nose. In the mouth there is caramel framed by acidity to keep it fresh. The caramel flavor goes on a long, long time. Mis par Leonard et Olivier Humbrecht in Turckheim 13.5% $125.99 at K&L

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deLorimier, Alexander Valley, Estate Bottled, Late Harvest, Lace 2004 The nose combines bananas, caramel and minerality. The mouth is viscous without being cloying showcasing the tropical fruit in a rich way, as if dazzled with honey. The botrytised grapes behind the ‘04 are 56% Semillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Muscat, 169 g/l RS. GP&B [...]

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Rosenblum Cellars, Lodi, Ripkin Ranch, Late Harvest Viognier, Lot 34 This is peaches in a glass with a thick mouthfeel, a little heat and the low acidity that often marks Viognier. The fruit was botritised and harvested at 36 brix. The final RS is 10%. P&B in Alameda 14% $14.49 for a 375ml bottle at [...]

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Paradise Ridge Winery, Russian River Valley, Ode to Joy, Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Lots of complexity in this wine, with honey galore - very reminiscent of Sauternes. This dessert wine was crafted to honor the memory of Marijke Byck-Hoenselaars. 44 degrees brix at harvest. Winemaker Dan Barwick. P&B in Santa Rosa. 13.2% $28.99 for a [...]

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Chateau Pierre-Bise, Quarts de Chaume 2004
Honey is the signature smell that jumps out of the glass with caramel and some noticeable but tolerable VA.  When you think of the Sauternes model, it works just fine.  There’s also citrus, like fresh orange and orange peel. The mouthfeel is quite thick, a very viscous wine with [...]

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Trecini Russian River Valley Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2006
The grapes for this wine were harvested at 33 brix. The Sauvignon character really comes through with citrus and some herbaceousness. The mouthfeel is lighter than other dessert wines, making this ideal for the hot weather. P&B Santa Rosa 13.2% $24 for a 375 at Traverso’s Trecini

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Dolce Napa Valley Late Harvest Wine 2003
This is the classic California Sauternes competitor, in flavor and in price. There’s a blend of pineapple and caramel with honey and minerality on a viscous palate where the flavor goes on and on. The grapes are sourced from the Dolce Vineyard in Coombsville at the base of the [...]

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Paradise Ridge Winery Russian River Valley Ode to Joy Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Lots of complexity in this wine, with honey galore. This dessert wine was crafted to honor the memory of Marijke Byck-Hoenselaars. 330 g/l sugar at harvest. Winemaker Dan Barwick. P&B in Santa Rosa. 14.3% $29.95 for a 375ml at Traverso’s.
The Royal Tokaji [...]

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Kendall-Jackson Arroyo Seco Late Harvest Chardonnay 2005
We’re featuring the wines of France tonight. As we don’t have a bottle of the Thevenet’s Late Harvest wine from the Macon, I thought we would taste one of the few late harvest Chardonnays produced in California. If you can imagine tangerines crystallized into a sugary dessert, preserving the [...]

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The previous tasting in the California and Europe class in San Francisco pitted Baumard against Oremus. Tonight’s flight brings in a different top-flight producer, this time from Sauternes. Both the Raymond-Lafon and the Oremus will be tasted side-by-side. In both cases the Oremus proved the favorite.
Chateau Raymond-Lafon Sauternes 2002
My notes from the [...]

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Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes 1er Cru 2003
The wine makes me crave a lemon tart as you taste a reflection of the butter in the crust in the viscosity and butter/caramel tones in the wine and a reflection of the zippy lemon in the custard in the springy citrus character of the wine. This is one of [...]

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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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La Montecchia Colli Euganei DOC Fior d’Arancio Spumante Dolce 2005
Fresh and full of orange blossom and ginger just like Moscato d’Asti. The taste is strongly reminiscent of ginger ale; perhaps this is adult ginger ale. Today’s bottle was also showing some bottle development that was complementary to the floral notes. Prod by Conte [...]

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