2001 Riesling Brand

Described by Olivier Humbrecht as “similar to the 1990 but with better balance”, the 2001 Riesling Brand (indice 1) is one of the greatest dry Rieslings I have ever tasted. Its intensely ripe nose reveals complex liquid stone and smoky pear aromas. Medium to full-bodied, hugely concentrated and magnificently deep, this intricate wine inundates the palate with bitter almonds, liquid minerals, pears, flowers, and spices. This dry offering’s finish is sumptuous, flavor-packed, seamless, and unbelievably long. Typically, Rieslings from Brand age remarkably well, gaining complexity and power with time, so I would not be surprised to see this wine earn a perfect score in a few years. Wow! Anticipated maturity: 2008-2022. In response to requests from consumers for more information as to the character of his non-Vendange Tardive or Selection de Grains Nobles wines. Olivier Humbrecht has devoloped an "indice" scale which appears on the label of each bottle. This indice ranks from 1 to 5 the perceptible sweetness of the wines, and Humbrecht describes it as follows: "1 is totally dry; 2 is not technically dry but the sweetness is not apparent on the palate; 3 is medium sweetness that may gradually disappear with aging; 4 is sweet wine; 5 is for high sweetness, a Vendange Tardive in richness but without botrytis." Humbrecht is to be commended for instituting this system as it will immensely aid consumers. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

Bright yellow. Subtle aromas of apple, orange peel, nectarine and spices. Impressively dense and rich, with sharply defined flavors of nectarine and minerals. Wonderfully ripe and tactile. Comes across as dry despite carrying about seven grams of sugar. Impressively long ripe/dry finish of great class. This will grow increasingly minerally over the next eight to ten years. Superb.