2007 Kalyra Gewurztraminer “El Forte”

Back in 1985, Mike made his first white port entirely from Gewurztraminer grapes. This release is along the same lines. Due to some crazy European laws, we are no longer allowed to call it “Port”, so we have nicknamed it the “El Forte”, which means “The Strong”.

This is a fortified dessert wine, which has been made from fruit sourced from the Viña de Santa Ynez. During fermentation, the wine was fortified with a neutral spirit brandy, which halts the ongoing fermentation and leave the wine with a lot of residual sugars in tact, as well as a higher alcohol content. This is the port-making process. The wine was then racked into barrels for 24 months and finally bottled. This amazing dessert wine has great character, with a touch of Lychee and peach flavors (as well as a touch of spice) with rich butterscotch and hazelnut on the finish. This wine is perfect to pair with hard cheeses, like an English Stilton, orwith thinly cut dried fruits. Perfect, as well, on its own after a meal. Best served slightly below room temperature.