2005 Gewurztraminer Altenbourg SGN

Rose petal and honey in the nose of the 2005 Gewurztraminer Altenbourg Selection de Grains Nobles announce the primary themes for a wine of imposing creamy richness but almost overwhelming youthful sweetness. Litchi and fig, caramel and malt, mingle with the roses and honey, and the finish is unctuously mouth coating and sweet. This will need years for the sweetness to back off significantly, but is unlikely to fade for at least two decades. The dynamic trio of Fallers continues to bottle some of France’s (hardly just Alsace’s) richest and most flamboyant wines. Beginning with 2005, all of their vineyards are being biodynamically farmed. Laurence Faller finds their 2005s in general “more focused and clear” (this was especially true of Riesling) despite their often prominent botrytis component, and the 2004s richer. I suppose it goes without saying, but one has to carefully scrutinize each Weinbach label, so numerous are the cuvees. And as wonderful as is the distinctiveness exhibited by the vast majority of wines here, even a geek like yours truly could be forgiven for asking whether somewhat fewer different bottlings might benefit consumers as well as journalists! Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802