The 2000 Schoenenbourg was spectacular. Cigar box, clay and earth can be discerned in its potent, complex aromas. This medium to full-bodied, muscular wine is plump, oily-textured, and rich, yet well-defined as well as pure. Cherries, blueberries, apricots, peaches, ashes, tobacco, and clay are found in its intricate personality. This wine, another in a string of Deiss's stunning successes in the 2000 vintage, is concentrated, amazingly harmonious, and deep. Projected maturity: Now-2012. 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