A 2006 Pinot Blanc Noble Cuvee represents a late-hanging, barrel matured portion of Pinot Blanc that (at only eight grams residual sugar) tastes dry. Concentrated toasted hazelnut, honey, Persian melon, and baked apple are the key notes here, and an alluringly creamy texture and high ripeness in no way precludes clarity and even considerable finishing refreshment. (This year, Malat tried blending a bit of Riesling into his Pinot Gris to achieve vivacity in a dense, voluminous wine; with Pinot Blanc, no tricks are needed, it comes naturally!) This succulent white Pinot (which I tasted from barrel), boasts enormous measurable extract and should be fascinating to follow at table as well as in blind tastings for at least the next 8-10 years (and beyond that, who knows?). Like many growers along the Danube, Gerard Malat began harvesting already in mid-September to insure some light-weight wines appropriate to summer, 2008 consumption, and finished at the end of October. From three sites in the Hohlgraben,Importers: Morandell Imports, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (310) 328-5010 and Rosalie Sendelbach Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 260-1870.