Winemaker Notes
The bouquet is still a bit discreet and fresh, not too arrogant, it is harmonious, clear and well-stated yet quite dense and fruity with hints of lime, fresh kiwi, lemon-grass, 'Mirabelle', greengage and a slightly mineral edge.
This is a dry wine that is also fresh and lovingly thirst-quenching on the palate, it is well-balanced with a generous and well-formed structure underlined by the wonderful freshness and vigour which is so typical to this grape variety's elegant temperament. The grapes are perfectly ripe.
This is a wine which can be consumed immediately but would benefit from being laid down for up to 5 years which would intensify the density and minerality of its aroma.
Would make an excellent aperitif. Best served with turbot, sea bass, monk-fish, lobster, king prawns, seafood, sander, pike, salmon, scallops, marinated or raw fish carpaccio, goat's cheese.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Great intensity to this riesling, which shows elderflower, white rocks, dried citrus and green paprika. Very driven and minerally on the palate and the acidity balances the only slightly sweet core of fruit. Quite full-bodied and long on the finish. Drink now.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Sold as Riesling Tradition until vintage 2012, the 2015 Riesling Classic shows a perfectly ripe, elegant and intense nose. Full-bodied, round and creamy on the palate, due to 20+ percent of botrytis, this is an intense, complex and salty Riesling with good grip, tension and freshness. A really gorgeous entry into the family that was sourced 60% in the Schoenenbourg.
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.