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France

Alsace

Alsace is one of the great, under-appreciated treasures of the wine world. This pretty enclave of fairytale villages is located in the lee of the forested Vosges Mountains. A historically much-disputed region, Alsace now lies on the eastern border of France, and is best known for its unique aromatic whites – which account for 90% of production – and increasingly, its Pinot Noirs.

The region lies between latitudes 47.5 degrees and 49 degrees north of the equator, giving a long, cool growing season. It is important for the vineyards to make the most of the sun’s rays, which is why most of the best vineyards are on south, south west, or south east facing slopes, sheltered from the wind by the Vosges.

Despite its germanic heritage, the traditional winemaking philosophy in Alsace is to ferment all of the grape sugar into alcohol, resulting in dry, full-bodied wines. However, wines with residual sugar are produced in particularly vintages – this includes the production of late-picked vendanges tardives and sélection de grains nobles.

Most Common Varieties

At the beginning of the 20th century, the many varieties planted in Alsace were divided into ‘noble’ and others. Of these, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat are considered noble, however varieties such as pinot blanc, chasselas and sylvaner are also considered as major grapes.

Riesling is the most respected grape variety in Alsace, and quite rightly. Alsace Riesling is steely, sometimes tough in youth, and perhaps a little austere for newcomers. It handsomely repays ageing in bottle.

Climate change has also seen an increase in Pinot Noir grown in Alsace. It was once notably light but in an increasingly warm climate its colour is darkening and it is taking on more weight.

Despite this tradition focus on the 8 major varieites, there is a push among the current generation of winemakers to revive obscure, once-derided native varieites and clones that have almost been rendered extinct clonal selection. Marcel Deiss is a strong advocate working to reestablish these varieties as robust resource for clonal material, a project well-illustrated by his complantation cuvées. Given the personality of his wines this can only be a good thing!

Understanding Alsace Labels

The following terms may be applied only to wines made from one of the four noble varieties.

Grand Cru was recognised as an AOC in 1975, and expanded in 1983, 1992 and 2007 to grant more than 50 individual vineyards granted superior status. The words Grand Cru are no guarantee of quality as some producers have seen Grand Cru simply as an excuse to charge more rather than as an opportunity to make seriously fine wine – although admittedly the maximum permitted yields are lower than the Alsace norm. Many of Alsace’s best wines are Grands Crus, however. A few top producers such as Trimbach and Hugel have Grand Cru sites but don’t refer to them on the label.

Vendange Tardive (VT) translates directly as Late Harvest, which is indeed what these wines are. Certain minimum ripeness levels have to be met (the best producers generously exceed them) and the grapes may be picked only when official authorisation is given. The trouble with Vendange Tardive wines is that they can vary from almost dry (but quite concentrated) to really quite sweet, yet no hint of sweetness level is given on most labels. The best of these wines can be aged for many years.

Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN) signifies a wine made from even riper grapes, often at least partly concentrated by botrytis. These relative rarities are easiest to make in the region’s sunniest years, from the obliging Gewürztraminer grape. Their sweetness level can also vary quite considerably, although individual producers will generally ensure that their SGNs are definitely sweeter than their VTs.

Filters & Sorting

Showing 19 Delicious Wines!

DRY

Domaine Marcel Deiss ‘Ribeauvillé’ 2018

White Blend | France, Alsace

Riesling ~ Sylvanner ~ Pinot Blanc = Seamless, Delicious, Expressive, Beautiful! A blend of mostly Riesling and a small percentage of the Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc. Planted on essentially marl and clay soils. Riesling shining through here with white flowers, citrus, a little pear / lightly poached quince, feijoa and baking spices. There is richness yet a transparency to the wine. Wonderfully expressive at this young age, the depth and length here is impressive. A palpable energy. Wonderful harmon
$59
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Base 2019, this is fun! Lovely set of flavours with an entrancing perfume. Crisp with cut. 3 years on lees disgorged November 2022 with a 2g/l. 12 months on it’s in a great place. Layered, with a finely textured mousse. Time in bottle and glass sees it resolved and out to play. Excellent mid-palate weight. Full of interest and intrigue with all of the development and textural refinement you would expect from a decent bottle of champagne at half the price! 60% Auxerrois, 20% Pinot Blanc an
$62
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DRY

Domaine Marcel Deiss ‘Ribeauvillé’ 2020

White Blend | France, Alsace

Riesling ~ Sylvanner ~ Pinot Blanc = Seamless, Delicious, Expressive, Beautiful! A blend of mostly Riesling and a small percentage of the Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc. Riesling shining through with perfumed, white flowers, elderflower, lemon citrus and baking spices.  This one reminds me of the 2017, fine boned, a sophistication yet with the hallmark complexity and textural intrigue that Deiss always manages to achieve. The quality, line and length of acid here is insane, so gentle yet with a
$75
$71ea in any 3+
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Weinbach Les Vignes du Prêcheur 2021

White Blend | France, Alsace

The Preachers Vines – Delicious wine. The non-Riesling component co-ferment field blend shines. Perhaps an unfair statement given the harmonious nature of the wine. Perceived higher alcohol that works in this context driving through the finish with spice. 8 months on lees adding texture and complexity. Heaps of oily phenolics, super complex and perfumed, spiced and baking spice and almost peppery edge, heading down the pear. Fruit tapers a little to finish. Gee it’s a fun wine. You co
$77
$74ea in any 3+
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Dry

Weinbach Sylvaner 2021

Silvaner | France, Alsace

“Very ripe quince nose, with fresh fruit and a hint of caramelised fruit. Excellent balance of ripeness and vitality, although the acidity is barely present in the foreground, only showing its hand at the long, wet-stone finish.” Stuart Pigott, Jamessuckling.com 92 Points
$84
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I've been watching Kientzler over the last decade now and have seen them consistently produce excellent wines from the Lieu Dit Muhlforst and the Grand Cru vineyards of Osterberg, Geisberg and Schoenenbourg. The 2021 Osterberg is beautiful, refined, long, layered & complex with exceptional acid and that Kientzler house funk. A long. linear line of super fine matches, citrus, musk, jasmine & spice. This is very very good. Exceptional development looks like oak élévage, yet it is rais
$104
$99ea in any 3+
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Weinbach Cuvée Theo Riesling 2021

Riesling | France, Alsace

Monopole of young vines at the base of Schlossberg in Le Clos des Capucins. Fascinating initially a little estery, openning in the glass to reveal fruit with savoury complex spices a little apricot kernel. Soft round and luscious. Rich with exceptional élévage / development. So together. A lovely dirty earthy edge to complement the fruit. Long fine textural so long powerful and muscular real presence. There is a Marcel Deiss thing going on here.  “Delightful nose of pink grapefruit,
$105
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Dry

Weinbach Muscat 2021

Muskat Ottonel | France, Alsace

“The 2021 Muscat was grown in the Clos des Capucins, the walled vineyard surrounding the house. It has a lovely lemon and elderflower scent, like a spring breeze. The palate is very fluid, almost rounded, and bone-dry, making this a charming, light-bodied aperitif style. There is the merest edge of phenolics which adds a little structure. The finish is lemony and dry.” Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous 90 Points
$105
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Domaine Marcel Deiss 1er Cru ‘Burg’ 2015

White Blend | France, Alsace

Premier Cru action from Deiss! A blend of 12 Alsatian Varieties! I haven't had the chance to try this yet. Given the rest of the 2015 a looking great this should be excellent too. D'Agata's note below if for the 2012. (a mixture of all the usual Alsace varieties, with a predominance of Gewürtzraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris): Bright golden straw-yellow. The opulent nose features marmalady botrytis, honeyed tropical fruit and and sweet spice aromas. Densely packed, intense and showy, with ri
$110
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I've been watching Kientzler over the last decade now and have seen them consistently produce excellent wines from the Lieu Dit Muhlforst and the Grand Cru vineyards of Osterberg, Geisberg and Schoenenbourg. Sherbety, superfine, exceptional intensity, long fine harmonious & seamless. Draws you in. Incredibly long & lingering, citrus, fine green apple. Shape & flow is insane. Love this. Earthy and savoury with a little shroomy funk coming through very, very good. Given the typic
$123
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Sublime
I love the fact that Trimbach hold back there wines for so long. The freshness, combined with the development of this wine brings a lovely harmony and balance. 8 years on the acid of this bone-dry wine has resolved and the richness of the fruit has powered through. Yet it remains elegant and fine. Complexity around a core of lime, layers of flowers, minerals, salt, hints of spice, just a lick of patisserie cream and so much more are occasionally popping their heads up. Also available in
$135
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OFF-DRY

Domaine Marcel Deiss 1er Cru ‘Burg’ 2012

White Blend | Alsace, France

Premier Cru action from Deiss! A blend of 12 Alsatian Varieties! (a mixture of all the usual Alsace varieties, with a predominance of Gewürtzraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris): Bright golden straw-yellow. The opulent nose features marmalady botrytis, honeyed tropical fruit and and sweet spice aromas. Densely packed, intense and showy, with ripe, pure flavors of exotic tropical fruits and custard cream. Finishes with noteworthy residual sweetness but also a lovely saline edge, which keeps the win
$138
$133ea in any 3+
$128ea in any 6+
OFF-DRY

Domaine Marcel Deiss 1er Cru ‘Burg’ 2017

White Blend | Alsace, France

Premier Cru action from Deiss! A blend of 12 Alsatian Varieties! I haven't had the chance to try this yet. Given the rest of the 2017 are looking great this should be excellent too. D'Agata's note below if for the 2012. (a mixture of all the usual Alsace varieties, with a predominance of Gewürtzraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris): Bright golden straw-yellow. The opulent nose features marmalady botrytis, honeyed tropical fruit and and sweet spice aromas. Densely packed, intense and showy, with
$138
$133ea in any 3+
$128ea in any 6+
OFF-DRY
Premier Cru action from Deiss! Riesling ~ Pinot Gris ~ Gewurztraminer I haven't had the chance to try this yet. Given the rest of the 2017 are looking great this should be excellent too. Notes from the last Grasberg I drank: Something quite special here. A unique wine of immense character. The botrytis play with spice, fresh apricot and almond / marzipan sits delicately with citrus, flowers, grapefruit and beyond. Off dry it sits balanced, with fresh acidity dancing over the light sweetnes
$138
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Weinbach Cuvée Colette Riesling 2021

Riesling | France, Alsace

“Stunning nose of yellow peach, pomelo and fresh pineapple that pulls you into this simultaneously ripe and vibrant dry Riesling. The ripe citrus flavors run right through the palate into the long finish that’s so uplifting it makes you feel good to be alive. So polished and precise.” Stuart Pigott, Jamessuckling.com 95 Points
$139
$134ea in any 3+
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Weinbach Grand Cru Furstentum Pinots 2021

White Blend | France, Alsace

Lovely perfume, faint line of lanolin / wet wool. Restrained and sophisticated lovely mid-palate, graceful yet powerful. Such incredible harmony, this is insanely good. So much going on here. Morphs and evolves in the glass, pear with a savoury layer and beyond reminds me to some degree of the Gobelsburg 3 year in style. Seriously impressive gear. “This effortlessly integrates the rich and creamy, spicy and textural sides of Alsace wines to create a powerful yet animating whole. Lot
$220
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