2001 JOHANNISBERG RIESLING Botrytis
ESTATE GROWN -- NAPA VALLEY

Tasting Notes: Gorgeously fruity green apple and pear notes over a youthful core of honey, peaches, minerals, wisps of jasmine blossoms and citrus, this vintage is a rich beerenauslese late-harvest wine due to the unusually high level of botrytis mold. If compact, it is also extremely long and achieves near-perfect balance with the combined influence of discrete fruit acidity and mineral dryness.

Grapes: The Long Riesling vineyard, planted 30 years ago, is one of the last remaining in Napa Valley. It is located in a two and a half-acre 'bowl' on the hillside, where moist air can hang. In the fall with fog or rain, botrytis ("noble rot") mold can start. The effect is to dehydrate the grapes - concentrating flavor, aroma, acidity and sugar and imparting a honeysuckle flavor and aroma to the wine. Long Riesling is designated "Botrytis" when the level of the concentrating effect is clearly apparent.

Vinification: We picked these grapes at 31.5º brix on October 13, 2001, a cool morning to preserve the freshness of the fruit; avoiding too much pressing to preclude tannins. Cool fermentation (45-50°F) preserved the fresh pear, peachy and citrus aroma/flavors. We stopped fermentation at 8% alcohol, because too much alcohol intrudes on the delicate fruit flavors and can mask aroma.

Notes from Bob Long: This is the richest, most full bodied of the 25 years production of these Rieslings. Its richness accents its favors and aromas making this vintage ready to drink earlier and with a wider array of desserts and other dishes. This wine should take first place among the most delectable dessert wines currently available. Serve it well chilled.

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