Cave Spring Estate Bottled Gewurztraminer 2012

This is a very attractive gewürztraminer, listed as off-dry but really quite dry to my palate. It displays very good weight and texture, with good structure and balance. Winemaker Angelo Pavan is forthright about his approach to this variety: 'The acidity drops quickly in gewürztraminer, and a lot of people pick early to get the acidity. But I prefer to pick it later, to make sure the fruit is ripe. Gewürztraminer isn't about acidity; you want this oily texture. If you want acidity, drink riesling.' This example clearly embodies his approach. It shows the classic flavour profile, some viscosity in the texture, and the characteristic slight bitterness toward the back palate. And the acidity? This is not a fat, low-acid gewürztraminer, any more than it's the blowsy style. The acidity is here in ample degree, well balanced with the fruit, and adding freshness to the other qualities of this well-made wine. Score - 4.5 Stars (out of 5). (Rod Phillips, winealign.com, Nov. 13, 2014)