The formidably-dense Weinbach 2007 Pinot Gris Cuvee Laurence displays a chalky character that contrasts with its creaminess of texture, honeyed richness, and overt sweetness. While marginally less bright or enticingly mineral than the corresponding Cuvee Saint Catherine, this is soothingly satisfying even though it shows a trace of heat. What’s more, it’s likely to hold up well for a dozen or more years, by which time the sense of sweetness will have diminished and it may well gain in complexity. This year, Domaine Weinbach will receive its official certification as organic and biodynamic growers. The Fallers did well in the difficult 2006 vintage – especially with those Gewurztraminer harvested before botrytis gained the upper hand – and with good reason expressed elation over the vibrancy and refinement that characterizes most of 2007s.Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802

While funky, fungal tones handicapped the Fallers' undeniably rich Pinot Gris Cuvee Saint Catherine of the vintage, their 2006 Pinot Gris Cuvee Laurence offers a nobler sauteed mushroom character nicely folded into a matrix of mush melon and almost over-ripe peach. Alkaline and smoky overtones point toward considerable oxidative development, and this will be another one of those 2006s where one could get a good argument going about its stamina, but I would advocate consumption within the next couple of years. The clean, attractively brown-spiced, and to a considerable degree refreshing (though sweet) finishing impression here is encouraging.This year, Domaine Weinbach will receive its official certification as organic and biodynamic growers. The Fallers did well in the difficult 2006 vintage - especially with those Gewurztraminer harvested before botrytis gained the upper hand - and with good reason expressed elation over the vibrancy and refinement that characterizes most of 2007s.Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802