A spectacular wine, the massive 2000 Gewurztraminer Altenbourg Quintessence de Grains Nobles (190 grams of residual sugar per liter) overflows with spiced pear, lily, rose, potpourri, and apricot aromas. On the palate, this full-bodied blockbuster is sweet, thick, oily-textured and crammed with spicy candied apples as well as cherries, raspberries, and mangoes. Exceptionally well-balanced, its flamboyant personality lasts for almost a minute. Bravo! Anticipated maturity: 2005-2030.According to Laurence Faller, this highly regarded estate's winemaker, "unquestionably 2000 must be considered one of the finest vintages of the last decade. It reminds me of 1998 but with more botrytis, yet not too much."Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802