The stunning 2000 Pinot Gris Bergheim bursts from the glass with smoky white peaches and apricots. This fat, candied wine has huge depth and length to its medium to full-bodied personality. Gorgeous spices, sweet lemons, and vanilla are intermingled with pulp-laden pears as well as juicy apricots in its plush flavor profile. Projected maturity: 2005-2015. According to Deiss, "2000 was a vintage of great weather, yet one that carries with it problems of balance, like all great vintages. Some will consider these wines as too rich and having too much alcohol or residual sugar." He added that "2001 presented us with climatic chaos but the end result is as great as 2000." Deiss, a bio-dynamic farmer, stressed that he never chaptalizes his wines, including the reds.Importer: New Castle Imports, Inc., Myrtle Beach, SC; tel. (843) 448-9463

This is ripe, lightly sweet and very rich. Pepper and exotic spices mingle with the toasty, smoky character of the wine. The fruit is intense, powerful and very concentrated. Imported by Lauber Imports. ——R.V.(4/1/2005)—— 87