When you taste this spectacular dry riesling from what was generally a very difficult vintage it is hard to believe that back in the s the Trimbach family were vocal opponents of the Grand Cru system.
The Geisberg is one of the most dramatic Alsace Grand Crus: a very steep, terraced site with 8. Cultivation is entirely by hand, resulting in substantial extra production costs. Anne Trimbach is the driving force behind the collection of impressive Grand Cru wines the family produces.
This wine makes a huge statement without tipping over into opulence or becoming monolithic. It is proof that in Alsace, dry riesling is capable of every bit as much power and depth as the white Grand Crus of Burgundy. Together, the brother and sister team of Marie and Jean Paul Zusslin have put the commune of Orschwihr and its remarkable vineyards on the map.
While the Bollenberg and Clos Liebenberg sites, both potential Premier Crus, also deserve a mention, the There, the soil is a mix of sandstone and limestone, and this is perhaps the reason for the remarkable complexity of these wines. A post shared by F. Trimbach winery trimbach. This is an enormously structured and concentrated wine that is only just beginning to display its riches, and as it slowly matures the hint of grape sweetness will recede ever further into the background as the profound minerality becomes more dominant.
Here is strong evidence to back up that argument. It also has one of the most beautiful labels on Planet Wine! This is the best wine she has ever made, and it has a stunning freshness and finesse for this extremely warm vintage. It comes from one of the most northerly Grand Cru in Alsace, the Watch this space! The total area of this Grand Cru, with more than a thousand years of history, is Veronique and Thomas pinot noirs are perfumed and silky, and you could mistake this one for a wine from one of the most famous sites of Chambolle Musigny in Burgundy!
Here is a very strong argument for extending the Alsace Grand Cru system to include pinot noir. This beautiful dry riesling marries considerable depth with a wonderful elegance, making it a great introduction to the Alsace Grand Cru category. You can enjoy it right away, but it should age extremely well. The 51 best parcels are designated grand cru—choice spots that dot the headlands and foothills of the wooded peaks, never on the plain.
These plots face east, southeast and, due to numerous lateral valleys, also south, which provides optimal sun exposure. Although a relatively modern creation, the grand crus are historic, and their wines have been prized for centuries. Some of the vineyard boundaries are controversial, like anywhere in the world where growers try to classify land.
A legal change in , however, allows each grand cru to have its own, specific set of regulations, which has encouraged growers to reassess each site. Thank You! We've received your email address, and soon you will start getting exclusive offers and news from Wine Enthusiast.
Each of the 51 grand crus boasts a spirit and personality of its own, so it may seem unfair to highlight just seven of them. Everything about the Rangen Grand Cru is extreme. The high altitude, steepness and exposure unite opposing extremes, which creates dramatic wines of historic renown. Morning mist also makes part of the Rangen perfect for noble sweet wines. But a wine that is extraordinary needs something more than just the slope, soil and so on. At some point, you have to go beyond technical explanations.
When you are in the vineyard, you feel it is a good place, a place you have to respect. You cannot bargain with this vineyard. With mechanization impossible on such a steep slope, Humbrecht emphasizes that the site demands absolute quality. To show their full potential, Rangen wines need bottle age. It just takes one sip to experience the magic of Rangen.
Barley sugar, butterscotch, demerara sugar and the faintest hint of maple syrup suggest the richness of this SGN right away. The concentrated sweetness is countered with illuminating freshness and holds tons of tangy spice. This is incredibly concentrated and has an elixir-like bundled energy that seems to be alive. The effect is both mesmerizing and invigorating.
What to mention first? A hint of mossy earth, chamomile tisane, Cox Orange Pippin apples or lemon zest? All of these aromas dance on the nose. They are still totally shy on the taut, dry and concentrated palate. For now, it is mossy citrus that is most aromatic while rich fruit still needs to unfurl. This strikes a note of utter purity, of something soaring and bright. Drink — Cellar Selection. A lovely touch of flint and smoke carry a touch of residual reduction. Underneath that is lemony purity.
The palate adds a touch of stone fruit, a touch of ripe mirabelle plum—its generosity only underlined by the taut lemon freshness that pervades the wine. There is something stern and stony at the core, something fundamental and profound. The body is precise, dry and powerful and incredibly moreish. This is lip smacking but has not even started to show itself properly. The finish is clean, stony and lasting.
This is one to keep. Geisberg is another steep, terraced, south-facing site that rises to 1, feet above sea level. Standing in the vineyard, you look directly down on the tiled, red roofs of the medieval houses. Since then, this framework has constantly evolved, giving each locality the possibility of further strengthening these rules. Since , individual local management by Grand Cru has enabled the winegrowers to work together to enhance the quality and typicity of the wines and to make ambitious choices.
At the same time, many winegrowers are striving to develop cultural practices respectful of the living, in order to express all the complexity of their terroir while perpetuating them. By way of derogation from this rule, Sylvaner is authorised for the place called Zotzenberg.
Although the Grands Crus sometimes retain some of the characteristics specific to their grape variety elegant freshness of the Riesling, aromatic power of the Gewurztraminer, generous intensity of the Pinot Gris, or fruity refinement of the Muscat , they are first of all marked by the influence of their terroir.
It is expressed in a wide variety of ways, with infinite modulations: particular intensity of aromas, often dominated by mineral notes, delicate salinity, acidity and subtle vibrations, radiant energy through volume or power, remarkable texture on the palate Some terroirs transcend the identity of the grape varieties to such an extent that they dominate the other contingencies, determining the personality and physiognomy of the wines.
This is why the co-plantation of various grape varieties is practiced in the Altenberg of Bergheim and Kaefferkopf. The Grands Crus of Alsace require time. I would rather argue that the lower range wines of the large houses are more expensive in relation to their overall quality.
The Grand Cru designation has given small growers with a very weak brand name a great opportunity to develop, to get a push forward, to get a position to defend and a possibility to charge more realistic prices for very good to excellent wines.
Finally, is hard to see how exciting young producers such as Jean-Marc Bernhard, Fabien Stirn and Agathe Bursin should have got going without the help of the Grand Cru designations. Furthermore, these producers could also serve as role models for how the characteristics of each Grand Cru should be expressed and developed.
The area is 71 ha, which makes it the second largest after Schlossberg. The wines may either be sold as pure variety wines or simply as Kaefferkopf. Muscat is not allowed.
A classic Kaefferkopf blend offers the body and depth of flavour of a Gewurztraminer with the freshness and complexity of aromas of a Riesling and goes with virtually every dish.
The Grand Cru system of Alsace Based on a long tradition In Alsace, vines have been cultivated at least since the 4th century. Freedom of choice Three producers of great reputation have chosen not to use the Grand Cru designation.
Common criticism All formal systems are criticized, even in France sic! My defence of the system Although the arguments put forward by Hugel and others are valid, there are arguments in the other direction as well.
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