Priam Vineyards ~ Gewurtztraminer 2007 vs. 2008 (Connecticut)

April 23, 2009 by MTB

Marguerite Barrett
Contributing Writer

The Whites finished with the Gewurztraminer, a Gold Medal Winner in the 2004 Amenti Del Vino International Wine Competition, and a Bronze Medal Winner in the 2005 International Eastern Wine Competition and the 2008 Amenti Del Vino International Wine Competition.

As the wine was being poured, I was told this was the 2007 vintage. The color was a pale yellow, and the nose was very light – and I mean very light. On the palate, the wine was also light with a mineraly finish. There were very faint notes of citrus, but overall the wine had no real depth. I was told the wine was “coming along,” but all in all I was disappointed – and, I must admit, surprised. While I definitely had my preferences among the wines I had tasted so far, they were all interesting wines with character.

When I expressed my comments, I was rewarded with a somewhat smug grin and a second pouring – this time it was the 2008 vintage, which had just been bottled that week. A slightly deeper yellow that caught the light nicely, this wine had a much fruitier nose. And upon sipping I found myself grinning as well – this is much more what I expected from a Gewurztraminer. Much deeper, richer and smoother than the ’07, there were lovely notes of pear and hints of citrus, and a light mineral finish.

One of the great joys of Win(e)ding Roads for me is when I stumble across contrasts like this – or the Jeremy River White/Blackledge White contrast. Experiencing the difference between two vintages, or two similar wines with slightly different formulas, or the dry and sweet versions of the same wine. Fascinating and heady stuff…