The 2011 vintage was rightly hailed as a more European year in Napa, & the Insignia does indeed show a firmer, more Saint-Julien style structure behind its typically powerful black cherry & cassis fruit. Strikingly elegant despite its concentration, this wine eloquently expresses Napas classical side. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc ...

The 2012 Insignia has an inky dark hue & aromas of ripe blackberries, star anise, cigarbox, clove & sweet mocha notes. Richly opulent with velvety texture & supple tannins, this full-bodied offering envelops the palate in luscious, lingering black plum & violets along with layers of baking spices. ...

This delicious Napa Cabernet expresses the regions opulent berry fruit & supple texture without straying into overripeness. This is succulent yet refreshing wine that represents a compelling blend of old- & new-style Napa. ...

A wine of great depth & personality highlighted by red fruit, pepper spice & orange peel aromatics with a touch of lead pencil shavings. Elegantly structured with racy acidity, this Pinot Noir is filled with ripe plum, red cherry, baking spices & vanilla. ...

Perfumed aromatics of red fruit, black pepper & earthy spice set the stage for an expressive palate of bold dark cherry, sweet raspberry & savoury notes. Intensely structured with great depth & balance for long-term cellar ageing potential. ...

Named after the famous sixteenth-century collection of poems, the Livret de Folastries, or book of follies, by French poet Ronsard, this Gewurztraminer is as surprising as its name. Josmeyer vinifies it as a drier wine while retaining its classic varietal characteristics: lychee & spice, mild with notes of honeysuckle & deep minerality. The nose is fine on flower notes. The mouth is full with roses & spices aromas & a fine acidity. Serve with tomatoes
- fennel
- smoked salmon
- spicy cooking
- exotic cooking
- mild blue cheese




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The name of HENGST means stallion. Palish bright yellow. Muskier & more exotic on the nose than the Br&, hinting at pineapple, acacia flower & dusty stone. Then dry & energetic in the mouth, more powerful & backward than the Brand (the alcohol here is 14%, vs. 13% for the Brand). For all its breadth this is locked up today, dominated by a youthful, almost medicinal crushed stone character. Finishes quite dry & uncompromising. Lay this one down. Serve with Seafoods, fish, sushis, sashimis, carpaccio or tartar of fish, goat cheese... ...

The name of HENGST means stallion. Palish bright yellow. Muskier & more exotic on the nose than the Br&, hinting at pineapple, acacia flower & dusty stone. Then dry & energetic in the mouth, more powerful & backward than the Brand (the alcohol here is 14%, vs. 13% for the Brand). For all its breadth this is locked up today, dominated by a youthful, almost medicinal crushed stone character. Finishes quite dry & uncompromising. Lay this one down. Serve with Seafoods, fish, sushis, sashimis, carpaccio or tartar of fish, goat cheese... ...

Between Wintzenheim & Turckheim these flat alluvian deposits of the Fecht are rich in clay (22%). The soil is predominantly of s&, shingle, & silt with a high incidence of pebbles & frequent plates of loess. From this vineyard come wines which are soft & sensual. The nose is complex with notes of citrus peel, caramel & apricot. A well balanced palate, smooth & fine. A superb 'vendange tardive' Serve with Mousse of exotic fruits, ginger cake, Christmas cookies, orange savarin. ...

SAMAIN is the name given to the most important feast of the Celtic world. It took place in November & announced the end of the harvests, the beginning of dark period. Coming from healthy grapes harvested by successive sortings, the Riesling Hengst Samain is a wine of a great complexity. Yellow with green reflections. The wine immediately makes its complexity & richness felt: a beautiful aromatic nose is matched on the palate with flavours of ripe pear & quince, with an underlying chalky intensity. The plump weight is matched by fine mineral notes & bright acidity which leads to a very long & fine finish. With this wine, you will serve the beautiful sea fish: bar, turbot, elbot, ray, burbot & the others. It will tease lobsters & spiny lobsters. With a little age, sashimis will be convenient for him marvelously. Old cheeses such of the old cheese like Comte, Gouda or Parmesan will be sublimated by this wine which sublimates its complexity through a language of the salt. ...