Soil:

The Furstentum Grand Cru lies at 400m altitude, facing due south.
It is one of the last remaining vestiges of the sub-Mediterranean era which Alsace experienced.
The soil is very stony and drains well because the calcareous bedrock breaks through.

Vinification:

The grapes are picked in an over-ripe state several weeks after the start of harvesting (minimum sugar concentration 408 g/l).
The development of "noble rot" (Botrytis Cinerea) dries them out on the vine. The juice is delicately extracted in our air-bag press. The slow, gentle pressing avoids crushing the stalks and pips.
The fermentation proceeds at a controlled temperature in stainless-steel vats.
It gets under way of its own accord thanks to the natural yeast found on the grape skins. As for the Botrytis Cinerea, it concentrates the grapes' sugar levels (30 to 80 g/l of residual sugar) and acidity. The resulting sweet wine is rich and complex, with great ageing potential.

Elevage:

The wine is aged on its lees in large oak barrels for 12 months.
This lees-contact contributes richness to the wine. What is more, the oxygen which passes through the pores of the wood brings about a gentle oxidization of the wine, and the subsequent opening up of its aromas.
The wine is then bottled and aged for 4 to 5 more years before being put on sale.
After that it's up to you to enjoy it within the following 10 years, at the height of its aromatic freshness!

Tasting Notes

"Pale yellow to bright glare which already indicates the concentration.
Nose, aromatic persistence of beautiful pink pepper, clean, strong, powerful, exotic, spicy,
 pretty cool.
 Still very young.
On the palate, the wine is smooth and balanced. This characteristic of sweet late harvest already expressed with hints of candied fruit and honey.
the Gewurztraminer grape is conducted in mid-palate with lychee and exotic fruits. An aromatic solid support for its origin (Furstentum grand cru).
In mouth is firm, then it is followed by roundness, and then still dominated by elegance. "
Philippe BLANCK - September 27, 2007

When & with what:

Reserving pride of place for it, with choice dishes, cheeses, creamy desserts

Press:

- Une vendange tardive puissante, au nez délicat de rose, de pralin et d'épices douces, moelleuse et élégante en bouche, avec de la pureté et de la profondeur. La finale est longue, sur le miel et la réglisse. Le terroir s'impose une fois de plus sur le cépage et la surmaturité, pour donner un vin complet qui évoluera bien au vieillissement.

Note 18/20 - page 81 - Bettane & Desseauve - Le  grand guide des vins de france 2009

- Note : 89 - Good bright palish yellow. Deep, subdued aromas of fresh apricot, orange blossom and meat. Very sweet, round and fat; quite smooth in the middle palate but with its earthy low tones this could use a bit more verve. A big, rich style, but the slightly edgy finish shows a distinct phenolic character. (Incidentally, a 375 ml. bottle sealed with a screwcap was distinctly more focused and energetic, meriting 90 points.)
Jul/Aug 07 - By Stephen Tanzer