Tonight we had this with Indian Food. If any Chicagoans out there are looking for quality unpretentious Indian, BTW, should definitely try Hema's or Hema's 2. Great places, and BYO.

Anyway, the wine: Deep gold color. Expansive nose of lychees, apples, and a little pepper. Very full on the approach, with detectable Botrytis and some sweetness. Terrific finish, going down very well without any syrupyness, and a good acidity backbone holding it together. 92-93pts, a wonderful very well put-together gewurz. Great wine for the mid-$20s.

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Who loves you, baby?

We had this wine at Lovitt's the last time Steve8 came into town. I gave it 90-91 points. If I recall, it was on sale for a time at Binny's for $16.

VM

Nomar Catuli

I saw your notes, VM. $16 is a great price for this.

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Who loves you, baby?

grossie, I bought a case of the 2000 based on Parker's rating of 95. I love it. If you've had it, would you please compare the two?

Just one more sip.

B-O,

I haven't had the 2000 and I couldn't find it, I went looking based on your (and others') reviews. Sorry. If I come upon it I will surely post.

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Who loves you, baby?

I bought the 2001 a couple of weeks ago, for $32. Glad to hear it's so good. BTW, Mann's Steingrubler 2000 was superb, and cheaper.

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Free Winona!

Board-O, I've had both the 2000 and the 2001 Mann Gewurz Furstentum, but not side-by-side. The are quite similar and comparable in quality. If you liked one, you'll like the other.

I've had the 2001 Furstentum and the 2001 Steingrubler side-by-side. The Steingrubler is less sweet and more acidic than the Furstentum. They're both excellent, but I preferred the Steingrubler. Tasted next to the Steingrubler, the Furstentum, with its considerable sweetness and low acidity, tasted a touch flabby in comparison.

Scott, you mentioned the '01 had low acidity and didn't ideally balance the sweetness. I did not find that to be the case with '00. I felt the sweetness and acidity were in perfect balance.

Thanks for your notes.

Just one more sip.

• 2001 Albert Mann Gewürztraminer Furstentum Vieilles Vignes - France, Alsace, Kientzheim & Sigolsheim, Alsace Grand Cru AOC (6/3/2006)
  Fantastic wine. A little paler than I remember, just slightly yellow. Sweet lychee nose with some minerality. This floats onto the palate showing tons of tropical fruit but never feeling heavy or overtly sweet. Long finish, never bitter. Fantastic. Drink now. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Thanks for the TN on the '01. I sell the '02 at the store, and it is without a doubt a great Guwertz. I wonder why RP hasn't rated any '01 or '02 from Mann?

IW

Thanks for the notes, grossie. I love Albert Mann's wines, and this one is one of the best.

Mark Kreydenweis is another excellent Alsatian wine maker whose wines rarely disappoint.

IW, what's the 2002 sell for?

I'm a big fan of Albert Mann wines, esp. the Grand Crus. I have a case of assorted 2001 GCs which I guess I should be starting to drink (I've not finished the 2000's yet).

On a related note, I'm going to an event with Jacky Barthelmé of Domaine Albert Mann this coming Tuesday night. The wines will be paired with sushi from Tojo's, our premier sushi restaurant. I'm hoping that she will be bringing some great library wines with her for us to taste.

The 2000s have a long life ahead of them.

I don't know what IW sells them for, but around here these are priced in the mid $20s.

As for RMP, who knows why he hasn't rated them? FWIW Tanzer gave this particular wine 94 points, which is quite impressive from him.

I bought a case of the '00 for $20 apiece.

Board-O,

Here in KY the allocation for the whole state is quite small, so the price is a few bucks higher than other parts of the country. The '02 Ferst. is after tax $30.

quote:

On a related note, I'm going to an event with Jacky Barthelmé of Domaine Albert Mann this coming Tuesday night. The wines will be paired with sushi from Tojo's, our premier sushi restaurant. I'm hoping that she will be bringing some great library wines with her for us to taste.

Seaq,
Have fun at the tasting...I talked with tasting host John (owner of Marquis) today...apparently there will be a few 'Older Vintages' showcased. I phoned John to confirm my little annual allocation of 6 bottles each of Albert Mann's Furstentum Gewurz and Pinot Gris.

tyee, have you had the Pinot Gris Hengst?
I find it better than the Furstentum.

quote:

tyee, have you had the Pinot Gris Hengst?

ArieS,
I don't believe I have...I get my Albert Mann wines from a retailer in Vancouver, who, may be the only one in the province who brings this producer in.
I'm not sure they bring PG Hengst in????...I will have to check.


The two Vineyards:
Furstentum (1.7 ha)
At the heart of the Kayersberg valley, this is a relatively steep hillside vineyard of 30.5 ha, facing south/south-east. The brown calcareous soil is a marl calcareous sandstone from the lower Dogger period. Dates from prior to 1330, when the first mention was recorded. Riesling Gewürztraminer and Tokay Pinot Gris are the varieties cultivated here.

Hengst (85 ares)
Hengst translates as ‘stallion’. South of Wintzenheim, this is a south-east facing hill at an elevation of 270 to 360 metres. Its 75.78 ha are dominated by Gewürztraminer, with some Tokay Pinot Gris and Riesling. Shallow, stony, mostly calcareous soils produce wines with great ageing potential. Historical records trace vine growing here back to the 9th century.

Thanks for that summary of the vineyards, Tyee.

I would say that the one quality of Mann's Hengst Pinot Gris that consistently shines through is the stonyness(I've had the 01, 03, and 04, with 01 being the best by far). This is a very interesting and obvious example of how the soil shows up in the wine.

I agree with ArieS- the PGs from Hengst are typically better. However I like the Gewurtz from Furstentum.

quote:

I would say that the one quality of Mann's Hengst Pinot Gris that consistently shines through is the stonyness

grossie,
There is a cemetery in the Hengst vineyard...perhaps it is not 'Stonyness', but more like 'Boneyness' you are tasting.

Anyways...I've linked an interesting article about Alsatian Terroir...read here

quote:

Originally posted by grossie:

• 2001 Albert Mann Gewürztraminer Furstentum Vieilles Vignes - France, Alsace, Kientzheim & Sigolsheim, Alsace Grand Cru AOC (6/3/2006)
  Fantastic wine. A little paler than I remember, just slightly yellow. Sweet lychee nose with some minerality. This floats onto the palate showing tons of tropical fruit but never feeling heavy or overtly sweet. Long finish, never bitter. Fantastic. Drink now. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Hi Grossie,
Did you notice it to be at all closed ?
I found with my last one, about 5 months ago, it took almost an hour to open up on both the palate and the nose.
I found it rather unusual and I didn't take a TN on it because I felt it was very strange.
I have to totally agree with your impressions otherwise.

I'm certain grossie feels validated.

quote:

I'm certain grossie feels validated.

Was that really necessary Board-O?