The 1998 Leon Beyer Tokay Pinot Gris Selection Grains Nobles Quintessence hails from a vintage in Alsace that, despite a September with scorching heat and rain, allowed patient wine producers to craft beautiful wines with the right amount of acidity. The late harvest grapes developed Botrytis, leading to an excellent vintage for sweet wines. This particular wine is a 'Quintessence' or 'Quintessence des Grains Nobles' (QGN), a non-official designation used by some producers for sweet wines that are even sweeter or more concentrated than a regular Sélection des Grains Nobles (SGN), comparable to a German Trockenbeerenauslese. 【This 1998 Quintessence is a testament to the exceptional quality of late harvest Pinot Gris in a challenging vintage, offering profound sweetness and complexity.】 Tasting notes reveal amazing complexity with several layers of tropical fruit, floral notes, nuts, and honey. The extreme sweetness is beautifully held together by a gentle grip of acidity, making it a perfect wine for meditation. It offers pronounced spiciness and powerful concentration, yet remains fresh, often appearing much younger than its age. Serving Advice for this aged sweet wine: Given its age, this wine should be handled with care. The cork may be fragile, so a Durand opener or similar tool is recommended. Decanting is generally not necessary for sweet wines of this age, but allowing it to breathe in the glass for a short period can help it open up. Serve slightly chilled, around 10-12°C (50-54°F). Food pairing suggestions include fruity desserts, blue cheese, or a chocolate-beetroot cake with vanilla mascarpone. It can also be enjoyed on its own as a contemplative drink. This wine is ideal for special celebrations, intimate gatherings, or as a luxurious after-dinner treat. It's also a fantastic choice for a quiet evening of reflection, given its meditative qualities.