The 2009 Gewurztraminer Atisis flows from the glass with exuberant passion fruit, mango, ginger, cloves and mint. The soft, beautifully layered fruit flows gracefully all the way through to the long, caressing finish. This is another standout from Colterenzio. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015. Alto Adige is a region full of high-quality cooperatives, but few are as consistent as Colterenzio-Schreckbichl. Importers: Empire Merchants, LLC, New York, NY; tel. (800) 338-3880 ; Giuliana Imports, Boulder, CO; tel. (303) 449-5477; Grappoli Imports, Ltd, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 519-2155; Grassroots Wine Wholesalers, LLC; Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 250-9060; Haw River Wine Man, Inc., Haw River, NC; wineworm@earthlink.net; Horizon Wines, Inc.; Houston, TX; tel. (713) 413-9463; Ideal Wine and Spirit Company Inc., Medford, MA; tel. (781) 395-3300; International Wines, Inc.; Birmingham, Al; tel. (205) 945-7101; Premiere Beverage, South Florida, FL; tel. (954) 266-2227; Villa Italia Imports, South San Francisco, CA; tel. (650) 873-6060; Vintage Wines, Ltd, Wood Dale, IL; tel. (773) 254-8200

The estate’s 2007 Gewurztraminer Atisis Cornell reveals a simply beautiful expression of exotic varietal aromas that waft from the glass, leading to generous layers of passion fruit, mango, and sweet spices. The wine offers notable balance in a style that is somewhere between the extroverted wines that have been all the rage in the recent past and a more restrained approach, all while achieving superb elegance, purity and restraint. Clean mineral notes frame the long, intensely satisfying finish. This wine is not to be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2012. The Colterenzio line-up was among the most consistently impressive I tasted this year. The value-priced wines are reviewed in Issue 178. Importers: Empire Merchants, LLC, New York, NY; tel. (800) 338-3880 ; Giuliana Imports, Boulder, CO; tel. (303) 449-5477; Grappoli Imports, Ltd, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 519-2155; Grassroots Wine Wholesalers, LLC; Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 250-9060; Haw River Wine Man, Inc., Haw River, NC; wineworm@earthlink.net; Horizon Wines, Inc.; Houston, TX; tel. (713) 413-9463; Ideal Wine and Spirit Company Inc., Medford, MA; tel. (781) 395-3300; International Wines, Inc.; Birmingham,Al; tel. (205) 945-7101; Premiere Beverage, South Florida, FL; tel. (954) 266-2227; Villa Italia Imports, South San Francisco, CA; tel. (650) 873-6060; Vintage Wines, Ltd, Wood Dale, IL; tel. (773) 254-8200