ALBERT MANN 2007 PINOT AUXERROIS VV
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTSThe Mann 2007 Auxerrois VV smells of grapefruit and orange peel, fresh apricot, narcissus, and a fascinating smokiness and chablis-like suggestion of chicken stock and shrimp shell reduction. Rich and silky on the palate, its slight suggestion of sweetness is appropriatelycountered by chalky, wet-stone, as well as savory suggestions of minerality and the faint bitterness of toasted nuts and citrus zest, but as the wine opens up over time, subtly sweet peaches-and -cream and orange sherbert become more prominent. Enjoy this versitile beauty anytime over the next 2-3 years.

DOMAINE ALBERT MANN 07 PINOT GRIS "ALBERT"
Here’s another stunner from Albert Mann! Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio as it’s known in Italy) has become increasingly popular with consumers looking for a refreshing alternative. This particular rendition delivers a focused richness that combines delicious vectors of creamy tangerine while maintaining a focus of crisp pointillistic acidity and focus that bodes well for food and wine pairing. Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese dishes come immediately to mind! Everyone on staff was knocked out upon tasting and you will be too! So don’t forget to throw a bottle or two in your basket of cart....you’ll be glad you did!

DOMAINE ALBERT MANN 08 GEWURATRAMINER
Gewürztraminer is a "love-it or leave-it" affair for most but this particular production may win over some converts thanks to its driving acidity that underscores the wine’s delightful lichee-infused fruit. Subtle hints of sundry apple, exotic spice and Asian fruits provide a nice backdrop to this exceedingly dry Gewürz that actually could match up quite well with Chinese dumplings, ham or pork tenderloin! This wine is simply delightful! Gewürztraminer...try it again for the first time!

DOMAINE BOECKEL 2007 GEWURZTRAMINER

DOMAINE BOECKEL 2008 PINOT BLANC

DOMAINE BOECKEL 2008 PINOT NOIR

DOMAINE BOECKEL 2008 VV SYLVANER

DOMAINE SCHOFFIT 07 "HARTH" RIESLING
Again, those looking for something a bit broader and fruit-driven will enjoy this luxurious cuvee fashioned by Bernard Schoffit! It’s broad and long on the palate carrying plump vectors of sundry orchard stone fruits in conjunction with subtle hints of ripe melon and mixed tropical fruits. Perfect for fruit and cheese ensembles, the wine is still quite dry with an underlying bedrock of acidity and minerality that makes for irresistible enjoyment!

DOMAINE SCHOFFIT 07 PINOT GRIS
Those looking for something painted with just a bit broader stroke will enjoy this landscape from Schoffit that combines honeyed vectors of ripe melon and pear in chorus with unctuous lines of summer peach and nectarine. Subtle hints of lemon/lime add a bit of nuance and complexity to the wonderfully wrought production that stands out as a true "yummer" worthy of enjoyment on its own poolside or on the patio with friends and family!

DOMAINE SCHOFFIT 08 "VV" CHASSELAS
This wine was a revelation to all who tasted and clearly stands as the best Chasselas we’ve ever encountered! This little known Alpine varietal is rendered in superb fashion by Schoffit and it goes way beyond the concept while putting to shame most of the meager, enamel-destroying efforts emanating from Switzerland! Loads of white peach, dried apricot and nectarine are accented with sublime hints of tropical fruit and melon! This bodacious wine is perfect for "top of the mountain quaffing" as well as cheese ensembles of any sort including that Alpine classic, fondue!

GENTIL 2007 MAISON HUGEL
Speaking of Alsace, we recently tasted the 2007 version of this perennial Hi-Time fave. It’s really good! So much so that we decided to showcase it as a featured selection! Blended from any number of grapes synonymous with Alsace (Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Muscat), the wine leads off with an invigorating nose of fresh rain and spring flowers followed by a dry, yet rich, palate of unctuous fruit that captures the spirit of the vintage. Sundry melon and orchard stone fruits are deftly accented with hints of lichee, tropical and citrus making for a unique wine experience that’s both rewarding and affordable. This classic "spring into Spring" production is perfect for snackies, cheese and crackers and lighter hors d’oeuvres and entrées.

KREYDENWEISS 2006 PINOT GRIS Marc Kreydenweiss and is son Antoine continue to favor true dryness, as well as malo-lactic fermentation and long lees contact, conveying a unique style that has stood the test of time not only from vintage to vintage (including numerous 2006 successes) but in the bottle as well. Smells of peach, pineapple, and brown spices, which are joined on the palate by a deep sense of meat stock richness as well as hints of toasted almond and bitter cherry pit. The balance of brightness with creaminess is very appealing and a hint of barrel along with chalk in the finish simply adds further interest. This should prove highly versatile over the next 5-7 years.

KREYDENWEISS 07 "ANDLAU" RIESLING

KUENTZ-BAS 2008 PINOT BLANC

MANN 2004 GRAND H PINOT NOIR
A smoke- and black cherry-scented red. Laced with new oak, yet balanced by fruit. Elegant, with cherry and spice flavors and good intensity on the finish.

MANN 2007 RIESLING FURSTENTUM WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTSIn a dramatic contrast with its Schlossberg sibling, the Barthelme’s 2007 Riesling Furstentum harbors 26 grams of residual sugar, which Maurice Barthelme explains in terms of the slow ripening in this site. Effusive aromas of heliotrope and of pink grapefruit and tangerine with their zesty pungency are joined on a lush, subtly oily palate by ripe peach. This finishes scintillatingly as well as less obviously sweet than its analysis would lead you to expect, in part due to efficacious acidity backing the impression of citricity, but also because of a tactile, chalk-dust like mineral suggestion as emphatic in its way as the striking family of mineral flavors that etch their way onto the palate in the Schlossberg. Expect 15-20 years of outstanding performance from this wine, which in its way is as unevolved as its bone-dry sibling.

RIESLING 2007 SCHLOSSBERG ALBERT MANN

SCHLMBERGER 2007 PINOT BLANC PRINCES ABBES
The color is a light golden yellow with light golden reflections of good intensity. The nose gives out a dominant of juvenile, primary, fruity scents; citrus fruits and very refreshing lemon peel. The frisky and refreshing nose is remarkable. The range of flavors is focused on the dominant fruits, citrus fruit, lemon peel but also white flesh fruits. The finish offers a moderate lenght and a sharp vivacity.

SCHLUMBERGER 2007 PINOT GRIS

SYLVANER 2008 "VV" OSTERTAG
We immediately flipped upon tasting this gem and took a significant position because it’s really that good! Inordinately crisp and clean, the wine nevertheless proffers an enormous depth of flavor and richness encompassing sundry orchard stone fruit and tropical tones. Hints of mixed citrus and mineral course throughout providing counterpoint to the wine’s plush fruit. While we’re not huge fans of Ostertag, per se (most productions show too much needless use of oak) we love this particular wine and buy it regularly. No oak, no bombastic hedonism or unctuous virtuosity for the sake of a score from one particular east coast critic, just a traditionally made wine from Alsace that delivers at a great price! Nothing more, nothing less!

TRIMBACH 2004 PINOT GRIS RESERVE
One of the noblest of Alsace grapes, it produces a full, heady, rich fruity style, often with a lushness of aftertaste. Its great depth is balanced by the crisp acidity that gives structure and longevity. A slight smokiness, combined with underlying delicacy, is a typical feature. The selection of very ripe grapes allows this Pinot Gris « Réserve » to match wonderfully with exotic, asiatic and japanese food. Superb with food, the Pinot Gris comes into its own with terrines, foie gras, smoked fish, fish in sauce (notably salmon) and white meats.

TRIMBACH 2006 GEWURZTRAMINER
This variety really comes into its own in Alsace exhibiting the full aroma of the grape. Its wines are full, balanced and very aromatic. Depending on the vintage, the principal aromas of Gewurztraminer are litchee, rose, ginger and geranium. The Trimbach Gewurztraminer is dry and shows classic restraint, without any loss of the Gewurztraminer's exotic and spicy feature. The match is perfect with spicy styles of Cuisine such as asiatic or thai food, or it goes wonderfully with strong cheeses such as Munster, Roquefort, etc. It will please all lovers of aromatic and dry wines amateur !

TRIMBACH 2007 RIESLING
This Riesling is a great classic of Alsace. At once delicate and vital, its intense fruit is given great length by a backcome of crisp acidity producing some of the world's greatest and longest tasting wines. Alsatian Riesling are usually dry, in order to match with food. Riesling is particularly conveniant with sushis, fish, grilled or with sauce, traditional alsatian meals such as the onion pie or sauerkraut.

Domaine Zind Humbrecht 2005 Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St Urbain
Stephen Tanzer 90+ Points
Pale yellow-gold. Musky aromas of ripe apricot, smoked meat and minerals. Silky in texture and superrich but downright steely today. Very dry (less than three grams of r.s.) and unforgiving wine, and yet this seems purer and finer than the 2004. I wouldn't think about pulling a cork for at least three or four years, if not considerably longer than that. Humbrecht noted that both the '04 and '05 Rangens are much drier than the rieslings he produced from this grand cru vineyard in many earlier vintages

Wine Advocate 91 Points
The 2005 Riesling Rangen Clos Saint Urban – as seems in recent years to be the grapes’ wont in this site – fermented completely dry, yet there is but a modest 13.3% alcohol. Peach, wood smoke and intriguingly musky, meaty notes on the nose are followed by a dry but juicy rather than austere palate, with faintly bitter citrus rind, wood smoke, salt, and iodine character leading to decidedly pungent, penetrating, clear, slightly tart, and invigorating finish. This is an athletically spare Riesling with a striking balance, best not revisited for several years and likely to justify more than a decade in bottle.

Wine Spectator 93 Points
Dry and intense. There's an impression of higher acidity to this, marshaling the pure grapefruit, peach, spice and mineral notes to a long conclusion, with a dry, mineral salt aftertaste. Best from 2008 through 2020.