Vintage
Unusual conditions during the 1999 growing season led to exceptional quality grapes for Gordon Brothers. A very cool spring and summer threatened the grapes (and the winemaker's sleep), but September abruptly turned sunny and hot. The slower ripening cycle allowed our white grapes to gain tremendous flavor intensity, while retaining a full structure. We harvested the Gewurztraminer from our estate vineyard on the first day of November.

Winemaking
Shortly after harvesting, the grapes were pressed into stainless steel tanks and the resulting juice was cooled for several days. This practice allowed the bigger particles and small sediments to drop at the bottom of the tank, leaving the juice crystal clear. After a few days, the juice was racked from its sediments and yeast was added for alcoholic fermentation. A cold-tolerant German yeast was used to allow the primary fermentation to take place at a cooler temperature. This slower fermentation fully extracted the Gewurztraminer's varietal character without the loss of any volatile compounds. After fermentation, the wine was racked from its lees, then tightly filtered and bottled.

Winemaker Notes
This classically styled, light gold wine offers aromas of citrus, lemon, grapefruit, and pear. In the mouth the wine features grapefruit, dried apricot, and honey flavors. This fine presentation of Late Harvest Gewurztraminer is moderately sweet and will improve by the middle of the year 2000.

Wine Data
pH: 3.23

TA: 0.67%

Alcohol: 10.5%

RS: 8.9 g/100 ml

Production: 327 cases (500ml)