05 Brooks, Amycas

By far the extended Brooks family's best field blend, this year's Amycas contends only with the first Brooks Ara riesling as the label's greatest wine. Enticing on every level, from its exotic lychee and sweet peach aroma to dry, ambrosial flavors of white blossoms, tangerines, spiced honey, and nectarines, the new Amycas surges with powerhouse clusters of riesling and gewurztraminer. I don't know how the vintners kept their composure during harvest. I would've eaten these grapes off the vines. Harmonized by pinot gris, pinot blanc, and muscat, it rivals similar blends from Alsace, recalling the ripe, hedonistic wines of Zind-Humbrecht. It could not be better.