The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Sonoma Coast

Varietal   Gewürztraminer

Retail Price   $22

ABV   14.3%

Score   4 Stars/91 points

In the Glass

Beautiful pale straw color.

The nose is floral while subtly offering scents of pear, rose water, and white peach with accents of jasmine, honeysuckle, lemon curd, and ginger.

The palate fully agrees with the nose delivering a complex fruit mélange with white peach, apple, and pear in the lead supported by generous spice, rose water, ginger, and jasmine with mineral and subtle citrus accents.

Medium-bodied and incredibly delicate with dry fruits and spice framed by bright acidity giving it perfect balance.

Cool Factor

When Gewürztraminer is done right (like this) it's really hard to beat. The Gundlach Bundshu Gewürztraminer marries the best of Sonoma fruit with an Alsace soul.

Value Grade

At over $20 it's not poised to capture the value wine crown but it's very well-made Gewürztraminer from California.

Analysis

Gundlach Bundshu has been making wines in Sonoma for over 150 years. While deeply steeped in the California tradition they have certainly retained their Old World wine making touch prizing subtlety over heft and creating wines with great natural acidity and great depth. This Gewürztraminer is not at all sweet while delivering incredibly rich fruit flavors found in the very best Gewürztraminer wines from Alsace and beyond. 91 points out of 100.

How to Enjoy

This lovely wine needs nothing but a glass but it's perfect with smoked salmon dishes or perhaps a slow roasted pork roast.