With his parcel of Pinot Gris in the Rangen, Humbrecht again harvested twice. Those vines closest to the river Thur (indeed only a few yards away) were picked for a Selection de Grains Nobles and those higher on the steep slope were vinified and bottled as the 2001 Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos St.-Urbain (indice 3). Less opulent than the Clos Windsbuhl, this effort reveals gun flint, smoked minerals, and ripe pear aromas. Highly elegant, it is a broad yet austere offering loaded with stones, smoke, pears, spices, and apples. This medium-bodied wine has superb balance and length. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020. 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