The Vendange Tardive-like 2001 Pinot Gris Rotenberg (indice 4) is super ripe and reveals some trace effects of botrytis. Its apricot jam aromas lead to a sensual, lush, medium-bodied personality filled with white peaches, apricots, jellied yellow plums, and smoky spices. Broad, silky-textured, and lush, this is an intensely flavorful, off-dry wine for pairing with foie gras. Projected maturity: 2006-2018. 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

A smooth, fresh wine, with some sweetness but also great, easy flavors of spice, acidity and tropical fruits. This is one of the less intense of Humbrecht’s wines, which lets you enjoy it now.——R.V.(4/1/2005)—— 88