WTN: My worst Gewurztraminer Ever

While shopping in Ft. Wayne recently I saw this Armida 2003 Gew. from the Russian River Valley of Sonoma Co. and thought, with 13.9 abv this might be interesting. I was sooo wrong. The wine was med. straw in color with lots of light sediment swerling around. It tasted more of a flat, old Pinot Gris than anything else. Not corked or cooked but just very dull. Avoid at all costs!!! I have had lots of cheap Alsatian Gew. that at least were recognizable for the varietal and some Cal. Gew. ( Ch. St. Jean, Phelps, Lake Sonoma a long time ago, Navarro) that were much more typical. I thought many years ago that I should stop buying Gew. from anywhere but Alssace but I could not resist but should have.

Hey, O/T, but does Fort wayne have good wine shops? That's still my home town, even after 18 years out here in California.

Fort Wayne used to have a really good selection of German wine, even older stuff (think Belmont Liquors) but times have changed. I am only up there 3-4 times a year to visit in-laws but Whole Earth, Cap-n-cork and maybe Belmont Liquors are interesting to pass the time. I picked up a few La Ville Cure at Whole Earth recently for $35 but not a real deal. My Gew. of the post came from Cap-N-Cork but they have other interesting wines and will go back.

Ah...I remember Cap-N-Cork now from 30-40 years ago!

Back when I used to look at wine magazines more I seem to recall Armida PN as getting some very poor reviews. So maybe the fault isn't 100% with CA gewurz.