Gewürztraminer Late Harvest Vintages and Tasting Notes
Late Harvest - A wine term referring to wines made from grapes picked toward the end of the harvest (usually late fall) when they are very ripe. Such grapes have a higher sugar content (minimum of 24° BRIX), particularly if they've been infected with BOTRYTIS CINEREA, a desirable fungus that shrivels the grape and thereby concentrates the sugar. The terms Select Late Harvest and Special Select Late Harvest refer to wines made from grapes picked with higher sugar-content minimums-28° and 35° Brix, respectively. A high Brix measurement can translate to a sweet wine, to a wine that's high in ALCOHOL, or to one with both characteristics. Generally, Select Late Harvest and Special Select Late Harvest wines have a RESIDUAL SUGAR content, some ranging as high as 28 percent. Late harvest wines are noted for their rich, deep, honeyed flavors and are customarily served after the main course, often with dessert or with cheeses such as Roquefort. Source: © Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc. 1995 based on THE WINE LOVER'S COMPANION, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst.
Updated 04/06/2007
On these pages I'm beginning to build a listing of tasting notes gathered from the internet, other sources, and my own personal experiences. I hope as time goes on that I will be able to taste many of these vintages/labels, especially those already enjoyed by Ms. Sue Courtney (identified with a 22Aug2004 style date code in the notes) and compare taste buds. I also list other winery vintages I have yet to taste myself or have found other tasting notes for. Those identified with an * are in my cellar either awaiting uncorking, or have been and my taste impressions await inclusion in description.
Important: If you know of a Gewürztraminer wine not listed, and /or have tasting notes for the wine, or have tasting notes for a wine already listed (whether it has notes already doesn't matter), please contact me with your information. Whether you're a winery, winemaker, or just love to drink wine, please feel free to add to these listings.
Submitting Gewürztraminer Wines for Review: Wines should be submitted to
GWTRAMINER SAMPLER, W259 N9116 Hwy 164, Hartland, WI. 53029-9010, U.S.A.
There is no charge or reimbursement for wines submitted, and though all submitted wines will be tasted, I can't guarantee that this will occur, or that a review will appear on this website. For each wine submitted, please send (2) bottles, unless limited by production, then (1) bottle will be satisfactory.
Mike Reilly
--------------------Airlie Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 1992
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Alto Adige Gewürztraminer DOC, Grape varieties: Gewürztraminer; Production area: Terlano; Altitude: 300-400 m a. s. l. Soil: Sandy, easy warming up porphyry-gravel Yield: 90 dt./ha Vinification: fermentation at controlled temperature in stainless steel vats; ageing and maturation on fine yeast for 4 month; Appearance: color light straw yellow aroma intense aromatic bouquet, underlined with a soft pleasant floral sent; taste well balanced and strong on the palate; very persistent; Alcohol:13% vol.; Drinking temperature:10-12°C; Ageing ability: 6-8 years. Kellerei Cantina Terlan |
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Alto Adige Gewürztraminer DOC, Grape varieties: Gewürztraminer; Production area: Terlano Altitude: 300-400 m a. s. l. Soil: Sandy, easy warming up porphyry-gravel Yield: 60 dt./ha Vinification: fermentation ageing and maturation on fine yeast for 10 months in small oak barrels (500 l); Appearance: color pale-gold yellow aroma the lovely captivating aromas of flowers (roses) and spice mingle with nuances of lychees and ripe bananas; taste well balanced and strong on the palate; very persistent. Alcohol: 13.5% vol.; Drinking temperature:12-14°C; Ageing ability: 8-10 years |
Amity Vineyards 2002 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer is an aromatic, rich and creamy wine with lingering lychee nut flavors. Serve by itself, with very spicy Thai or Asian dishes, or with pungent cheeses. $15.00
Anselmann Gewürztraminer 200ér late vintage; Gold medal Vinalies international in Paris 2004
Babcock Late Harvest Gewurztraminer "Cuvee Sublime" 2001, 375ML $20.00
Barboursville Vineyards Phileo, Virginia, dessert vine, $16.95, A truly beautiful and friendly dessert wine, the result of a masterful blend of Moscato, Gewürztraminer and other aromatic varietals. Lively sweetness is balanced by sustained acidity giving a charming clean finish.
Beisteiner’s Family Wine Estate Gewürztraminer Spätlese 2003; Produced from late harvested grapes, it is golden-yellow in color, spicy an fresh, with a typical aroma of roses, elegant on the palate and has a harmonious fruity sweetness. 11% alc. /vol., acidity 4.5 g/l, res. sugar 54.4 g/l, sweet, € 6,50; Austrian
Black Ridge Gewürztraminer Late Harvest 2003; (375ml), $18.50 A medium sweet wine that is an unusual style for Black Ridge. A stopped ferment on extremely ripe fruit has left a high amount of sugar on the wine. It has a rich bouquet of lychees and Turkish Delight along with a rich palate and waxy creamy texture. A long finish.
Winery Note: At harvest, the sugars in the Gewurztraminer grapes rose so quickly that our Gewurztraminer 2004 is well into the medium range. It has a wonderful bouquet full of rose petals, spices and lychees and these flavours carry on in the body of the wine. Just delicious with smoked chicken. The Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2003 is also available. The extra honey flavours that come with a more aged wine, make this a real treat. It's Turkish delight flavours are great with a blue cheese and other nibbly things before dinner. Bob Campbell really enjoyed this wine and gave it a Silver rating.
Luigi Bosca Gewurztraminer Granos Nobles 2002, Maipu, Mendoza, Argentina; Bodegas y Viñedos Leoncio Arizu S.A. Open mineral, cement, spicy, buttery aromas with some floral and dried peach notes and a streak of petrol. Very dry, warm and somewhat lean with slatey mineral, spicy, citrus peel flavours. A bit bizarre as it's low on varietal fruit and lacks richness for a somewhat late harvested wine. (375mL)$14.99 Canadian
Chateau Chantel 2002 Select Harvest Gewürztraminer; $7.99; A rich, velvety dessert wine.. sold in 375 ml.
De Loach Russian River Valley Gewürztraminer Late Harvest
Duck Walk Vineyards, 2002 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, North Fork of Long Island, New York, Aphrodite
Eola Hills Winery Late Harvest Gewurztraminer "Vin d' Epice" 1999, Pressed from late harvest frozen Gewurztraminer grapes, our "Vin d Epice" is unctuous, honeyed and spicy on the palate with flavors reminiscent of apricots and guavas. While the wine is very sweet, the firm acidity keeps it from being cloying. 375 ml. bottle, $15.95 - This wine is an elegant match with a crème brulee, custard or enjoyed as a dessert all by itself. 2000 & 2002 Oregon State Fair : Gold Medal Wine & Spirits, "Wine of Great Value", May 2002 2001 Oregon State Fair: Bronze Medal 2001 San Diego National Wine Competition: Silver Metal McMinnville Wine Classic 2001: Silver Medal Wine Spectator (April 2001): 90 Points Wine Enthusiast 1998: 91 Points Florida State Fair, Silver Medal, 2003 Dallas Morning News, Gold Medal, April 2003 McMinnville Wine Classic, Silver Medal, February 2004 Oregon Wine & Food Festival, 2nd Place, February 2004
Erath Vineyards Late Harvest Gewürztraminer 1998, Willamette Valley
Hermann Fink Beerenauslese, Gewurztraminer, Burgenland 1999
Fleischmann Krieger 1997/9 Gewuerztraminer late vintage mildly, Winery notes: The Gewuerztraminer late vintage drying, typical sort flavor, pleases nose and palate. The balanced harmony of acid and remainder-sweet inspires the lover and connoisseur equally. 13.77% alc., 0.75 Ltr. 8.50 DM, 4.35 euro
1992 Gewurztraminer Beerenauslese "Kirchheimer Geiskopf" (Hammel & Cie)
Hauer of the Dauen Winery Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, $14.00, vintage unknown.
Kiona Vineyards Winery 2003 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Red Mountain, $10
Montinore Estate Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2001 WINEMAKER'S NOTES: "This wine has a floral and spicy bouquet with ginger and a touch of banana and herb notes. The taste is sweet with honey and dried herb flavors. The mouthfeel is rich and sweet with a long, spicy aftertaste." Bottled in May 2002. Alcohol: 13.8%; $15
Navarro Vineyards Cluster Select Late Harvest 2001 Gewurztraminer, Anderson Valley, Mendocino, California, The first whiff is full blown Gewürztraminer perfume with a tropical background of pineapple, mango and apricot created by botrytis. The tropical fruit flavors are intense and linger on the palate. The wine is viscous, but Anderson Valley acidity cuts in at the very end to keep it fresh and zingy. In three wine competitions of 2002, this wine was the Sweepstakes and Gold Medal winner in each. Harvested: Nov. 20, 2001; Bottled: April 11, 2002, 10.1% alc., 375ml., $29.00
Navarro Anderson Valley Vintage Select Late Harvest Gewurztraminer (10.0%; RS: 14.2%) '99: Med. dark gold color; beautiful aromatic/floral/intense/lychee/hair oil light peachy/botrytis nose; very sweet intense lychee/hair oil/spicy/GWT slight raisened/oxidized flavor; very long intense lychee/hair oil loads of GWT fruit slight oxidized/raisen finish; not much botrytis evident; tastes like GWT that set out on the leavless vines into Dec dehydrating; pretty terrific dessert wine at a great price. The Tom Hill Archives
Navarro Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer Late Harvest (11.1%; RS: 7.1%) '98: Med. gold color; strong botrytis/peachy/apricotty very grapey/lychee/very ripe nose; tart strong lychee/Gewurztraminer some peachy/botrytis very ripe grape lots of fruit fairly sweet flavor; very long very ripe fruit/ lychee/Gewurztraminer some peachy/apricotty/botrytis finish; loads of ripe Gewurztraminer fruit w/ a light hit of botrytis; a steal for this price. $9.98/375ml.
"Navarro & Alsace: To my judgment, Navarro probably does the best job of anyone in Calif in making Alsatian Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris. Too many times, most wineries leave too much residual sugar. Navarro seems a bit more restrained along that line, but still they often have a bit too much Kendall-Jacksonized character to them. Even so, alas, they still don't hold a candle to a half-way decent Alsatian Gewurztraminer or Riesling. If I want good Alsatian-style white wine from Calif, I go to..... Viognier or Roussanne!!" The Tom Hill Archives: Navarro Winery Releases: Tom's notes from December 8, 1999
Pindar Vineyards, 2001 Gewurztraminer Late Harvest, North Fork of Long Island, New York, Estate Bottled
River's Edge 2000 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, River's Edge Winery, Umpqua Valley
* (1) Robertson Winery Gewürztraminer Special Late Harvest 2004, Dr. William Robertson, Robertson, South Africa, 10.5% alc., not traditional German brown long-neck bottle, Bordeaux-type bottle; FRINFM $8.39 120404, Wine Spectator - 80 pts.
| Robertson Winery Gewürztraminer 2003 Veritas 2003 - Bronze Full bodied wine with honeysuckle and rose petals in bouquet. Rich and smooth with beautifully balanced sugar and acid give an extra interest by a touch of honeyed botrytis. Alc: 11.0 |
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Robertson Special Late Harvest 2002 Full bodied wine with honeysuckle and rose petals in bouquet. Rich and smooth with beautifully balanced sugar and acid give an extra interest by a touch of honeyed botrytis. 12.3% alc. |
Robertson Special Late Harvest 2002 Full bodied wine with honeysuckle and rose petals in bouquet. Rich and smooth with beautifully balanced sugar and acid give an extra interest by a touch of honeyed botrytis. 12.3% alc.
Robertson Special Late Harvest 2001; TASTING NOTES : Sumptuous honeysuckle and rose petals in bouquet. Rich and smooth with beautifully balanced sugar and acid given extra interest by a touch of honeyed botrytis. Needs to be enjoyed fresh. Ideal companion with fresh fruit based desserts and cheesecake. Serve at 8º-10ºC. AGEING POTENTIAL: 2001- 2003. 11.5% alc.
Robertson Special Late Harvest 1999 Sumptuous semi-sweet nuances. Alc: 12.6
3 Rivers Late Harvest Gewurztraminer Walla Walla Valley 1999 - Here is the first offering from the new Walla Walla winery 3 Rivers featuring wine maker Charlie Hoppes (formerly of Chateau St. Michelle). This wine shows a spicy Gewurztraminer character in the nose of sweet figs, peaches, orange zest and tropical fruit. It hits the palate with green apple, strawberry and rich viscous exotic fruit nectar. Its zesty acidity balances nicely with its 8% RS. Finishes sweet and strong. Recommended at $11 (373 ml).
3 Rivers Winery 2001 Biscuit Ridge Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Walla Walla Valley
3 Rivers Winery 2002 Biscuit Ridge Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Walla Walla Valley, $12, Bronze Medal.
Three (3) Rivers Winery 2003 Biscuit Ridge Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Walla Walla Valley, 10.5% alc., $21, Release Date July 1, 2004, Winemaker's Notes The 2003 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer mimics past vintages. Tropical fruit flavors explode in honeyed richness. The increased hang-time allowed the distinctive nuances of this spicy grape to blossom. The residual sugar of 8.5% in this wine lends itself well as a dessert wine. Appellation: Walla Walla Valley - Biscuit Ridge Vineyard; Vintage The grapes for the Late Harvest Gewurztraminer were harvested mid November 2003. Combines spice aromas of cloves and cinnamon with sweet flavors of baked apples and oranges. Won Gold at L.A. County Fair, Northwest Wine Summit and Washington State Wine Competition
Tualatin Estate Vineyards 10850 NW Seavey Road • Forest Grove, Oregon 97116 • 503.357.5005 2001 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, Sweet and exotic with flavors of apricot, pineapple, brown sugar and honey balanced with plenty of acidity. Drink between now and 2008
Walla Walla Valley Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 1999, Release Date April 1, 2000; Winemaker's Notes: The 1999 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer is a luscious desert wine with concentrated tropical fruit aromas and flavors. Its excellent balance in the wine lends itself well as a wine to accompany an appetizer or dessert. Vintage: The grapes for this wine were picked in November, long after the first frost, enabling the fruit to dehydrate slightly and cause increased flavor concentration. The growing season itself was one of the coolest on record, but with long warm days in September ripening occurred quite well.
Walla Walla Valley Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2000, 375 ml and 750 ml., Appellation: Walla Walla Valley - Biscuit Ridge Vineyard; 10.5% alc., Release Date April 1, 2001; Winemaker's Notes: The 2000 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer is a wonderfully concentrated dessert wine with spice, grapefruit and pineapple aromas and flavors. The excellent balance in the wine lends itself well to accompany an appetizer or dessert. Vintage The grapes for this wine were picked in December of 2000, long after the first frost, enabling the fruit to dehydrate slightly for increased flavor concentration. The growing season was very warm throughout the spring and summer, with adequate heat accumulation to ripen the grapes nicely. Vineyards: The source of grapes for the 2000 Walla Walla Valley Late Harvest Gewürztraminer was Biscuit Ridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. Biscuit Ridge Vineyard is an estate vineyard located in the very northeast part of the Walla Walla Valley. Elevation of the vineyard is at 1800 feet. The vineyard is owned and operated by Duane & Mary Wollmuth, who are also partners in the winery operation. Best of Class - L.A County Fair 'Wines of the World' Competition 2004; Gold Medal - Central Washington State Fair 2004; Gold Medal- Northwest Wine Summit 2004
Weegmüller Haardter Bürgergarten Gewürztraminer Spätlese (late harvest) 2001
Wolf Blass Gewurztraminer Botrytis Gold Label 2003, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia; Spicy, mineral, honey, sausage, lemon oil, ginger aromas. Smooth, round, soft textures with fresh mineral, ginger, sausage, honey, lychee flavours. Nice intensity and elegance but not a big style. Drink young and fresh as the acidity is soft. $19.99 (375 ml) Canadian
Sources: "Wine Reviews" - Gewürztraminer by Sue Courtney, http://www.wineoftheweek.com/tastings/gewurz.html , Wine Spectator and other informational wine websites, actual winery notes, reviews by other celebrated wine specialists, plus modest personal tasting notes.
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