Winemaker Notes
Known all over Europe at least since the 12th century, the Rangen vineyard was first exploited by the monks of the church of Saint-Théobald, an important place of pilgrimage at that time. Rangen is a mountain of volcanic schiste, ideal for Riesling. Its stunning volcanic terroir, unique in Alsace, makes it a magical Grand Cru. But, among all of the Alsatian Grands Crus, it is also the southern most, has the highest elevation (culminating at 450m), is the steepest (up to 55 degrees), and everything contributes to heighten its powerful and mysterious aura. Incredibly hard to work, it is a very demanding terroir that has to be earned all year long. But when it receives the appropriate level of affection, it gives as a reward some of the top Riesling of the world: smoky, stony, mineral. Depending on the vintage, the final balance is usually around 7g/L residual sugar and 7g/L acidity, but its unique personality is always captivating.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Schoffit's intensely yellow colored 2013 Riesling Grand Cru Rangen Clos Saint-Théobald Schistes displays an extraordinary bouquet of ripe white fruits, sugared grapefruits (brown sugar!) with a hint of caramel, tarte tartin, and flinty/salty, even black pepper notes of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, round and highly elegant, this is a rich and salty, perfectly balanced Riesling with great tension and complexity. This is one of the greatest Rieslings I have tasted from this vintage in Alsace and you should take your time to find some bottles. Lovely bitter sensations and fine tannins in the finish. At this price and even at almost any other price, this is a Must Buy!
-
Wine Enthusiast
This wine clearly needs to breathe. It is only after a few minutes of airtime that it shows its true colors: then very tart and aromatic apples appear, alongside a hint of smoke and a sheer touch of lemon freshness. The palate continues on that lemony streak and is absolutely dry. The body is lithe and slender and shows great freshness and intensity. Apple and stone flavors linger. Drink 2020–2030.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
Small but mighty, this picturesque region in northeastern France is renowned for its white wines produced by passionate families whose winemaking roots span generations and even centuries. Nestled between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, Alsace benefits from a sunny, dry climate and a long growing season. It is one of the most geologically diverse regions in the world — one of the many reasons why Alsace rocks!
Alsace wines include dry, mineral-driven Riesling, earthy Pinot Gris, refreshing Pinot Blanc, exuberant Gewurztraminer, elegant Pinot Noir, and more. From traditional-method sparkling wines to easy-drinking AOC Alsace, to complex Grand Cru bottlings from 51 distinct sites, and rich, late harvest wines, Alsace produces a wine for every occasion. Most Alsace wines are single-varietal bottlings and are labeled with the grape name. The region is also one of the greenest wine-producing areas in France, with 36% of its vineyard area certified organic.
Riesling, the region’s calling card, is dry, fresh and floral in its youth, developing complex mineral and flint character with age. Gewurztraminer is known for its signature spice and lychee aromatics. Pinot Gris is prized for its combination of crisp acidity and savory spice as well as ripe stone fruit flavors. Pinot Blanc is an affable food partner or porch sipper. Pinot Noir, the only red grape in AOC Alsace, is now authorized in three Grand Cru areas and is also used for Crémant d’Alsace sparkling rosé. Any bottle you choose will offer deliciousness, pleasure and value that is unprecedented in other wine regions.