July Wine Focus: Alsace and its grapes

[David M. Bueker]

2004 Albert Boxler Riesling Brand - France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru (7/28/2020)
Last bottle of a pair bought years ago, and it brought the magic at 16 years old. Golden color, effusive aromas of dried pineapple, quince, warm hay and a touch of lychee adding a hint of exoticism all blended into a package that's lightly coated in fresh honey and toasted oats. There's a hint of sweetness on the palate, but not in sugary sense, more in a bottle sweetness manner that comes with age. Lingering spice on the back end hovers like a ghost. Delicious bottle, caught at the right moment.

Didn't want to miss out!

2002 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Herrenweg de Turckheim

Shows it's age, but still drinking well. Gold in color. Nose of lychee and roses, with some white pepper coming through as well, but lychee and roses DOMINATE this wine, a little overpowering.

On the palate the acidity is moderate, which is way higher than I expected. Full body with a hint of RS. Not a sweet wine, but also not dry. This is a bold, big in your face wine. This is bigger and bolder than I normally like, but this is good, even at 15.5% alcohol...