Gewurztraminer Vendange Tardive 2007

The Hugel 2007 Gewurztraminer Vendange Tardive leads with sweet pea and rose petal very much as do the its non-V.T. counterparts in this collection. To this are added spiced pear; liquid lily and gardenia; as well as honey, caramel, and nougat backed by evidently high residual sugar that render the wine more confectionary than one would have suspected from the nose. Still, for polish, purity, and refined ennoblement, this is hard to beat; what’s more, it retains an element of welcome juiciness that keeps pace with the finishing sweetness, and a sense of transparency to vibrant mingling of myriad floral and spice nuances. Here is one of those 2007s that manages to be soothing as well as stimulating; a wine you can wallow in, yet sure to prompt meditation, and worth following for 20 or more years.

Score: 94

David Schildknecht, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2030 01 April 2010