(by Raymond R. Wells, Ed.D.)
2007 Helfrich Pinot Gris, Vin D’Alsace, Alsace, France, 21 g/L residual sugar, $14.50. Dried apricot, melon, raw almond, and a light herbal note in a surprisingly lush nose for the varietal. Off-dry (lightly sweet), with some complexity and a medium-long finish. A lovely example of what can be done with the Pinot Gris grape in Alsace, and at a very attractive price. The Raymond Rating = 88 points.
2007 Helfrich Gewurztraminer, Vin D’Alsace, Alsace, France, 22.5 g/L residual sugar, $14.50. Spicy, floral nose typical of the varietal. Off-dry (lightly sweet), with good fruit, some complexity, and a long finish. A nice example of what can be done with the Gewurztraminer grape in Alsace, and at a very attractive price. The Raymond Rating = 88 points.
2007 A-Mano Pinot Grigio, Apulia, Italy, $11.25. Pear, raw almonds, and a light citrus overlay on the nose. Very full-bodied for the varietal, fairly dry, with simple fruit and a short finish. Pleasant but uninteresting. The Raymond Rating = 84 points.
2006 A-Mano Chianti, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy, $11.25. Floral notes (reminded me of chrysanthemums) with sweet cherries and a touch of tobacco on the nose . Light-medium fruit with a simple, soft, clean finish. The Raymond Rating = 83 points.
2006 A-Mano Primitivo, (genetically equivalent to California’s Zinfandel grape), Apulia, Italy, $11.25. Perfumed berries with some dusty notes and hints of black olives on the nose. A robust, rustic red with good fruit. Pleasant , but not complex, with velvety tannins on the medium-long finish. The Raymond Rating = 85 points.
The distributor was temporarily out of the Helfrich Riesling; therefore this wine was not sampled at the tasting. These notes were made 3/3/09.
2007 Helfrich Riesling, Vin D’Alsace, Alsace, France, $14.50. Lovely, floral nose with peachy highlights and a light piney overlay. Crisp and dry, good fruit with some complexity, and a clean medium-long finish. A beautiful example of what can be done with the Riesling grape in Alsace, and at a very attractive price. The Raymond Rating = 89 points.