WINE =======: 2001 Joseph Phelps Eisrebe
Tasting Date: 2004-07-20
Varietal    : Scheurebe
Score       : 90
Country     : USA
State       : California
Region      : Napa Valley

Notes
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Although this wine has a nice straight golden color, its
scent was heavy on alcohol. It basically smelled like white
wine. So I was surprised when I tasted it, and it was quite
sweet, not heavy with alcohol flavor. The mouth feel is a
bit thicker than an ordinary wine, but just a touch. There
is a fruity, pineappley taste, but it underlies the first
taste, sweetness. Since I like sweets, this worked for me,
but it doesn't quite have the balance that might win over
someone else. This is another one of those faux ice wines
made from artificially frozen grapes.

Production Notes
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In 1916, German botanist George Scheu announced that he had
developed a new wine grape by crossing Sylvaner and
Riesling. The hybrid was characterized by the desirable
yield and ripening qualities of Sylvaner as well as by
remarkably fragrant, floral aromas and flavors reminiscent
of Riesling. In 1956 the vine was named Scheurebe in honor
of its breeder.

In 1974, Joseph Phelps budded a small plot of vines on his
Spring Valley estate to Scheurebe and over several years
experimented with the grapes, releasing a number of
late-harvest wines in later vintages. In 1994, the idea and
production of the wine were taken a step further in the
desire to produce an ice wine. Traditionally, ice wine, or
"Eiswein," has long been produced in Germany from extremely
late harvest grapes which are picked frozen, often as late
as mid-December. When the grapes are crushed, the frozen
water is eliminated from the juice, concentrating sugar and
extract, resulting in a lusciously sweet dessert wine.

Grapes for Eisr
Output generated by La Wine Club - http://LaWineClub.com/
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