Winemaker Notes
Rarely have we seen a vintage subject to so many variations in the weather. The season started late with a damp spring and coulure, causing a smaller than usual crop. High temperatures and exceptional summer weather brought the grapes to perfect levels of maturity. Right from the start of our harvest on 1st October the grapes were very healthy and ripe, and so 2013 was a classic Alsace vintage of intense, pure, well balanced wines. Uneven weather at the very end of the harvest prevented any significant production of Late Harvest wines.” -Jean-Frederic Hugel
Great classic Riesling which starts to show its promises but which will gain in complexity for 8 years or more. Its minerality and long complex aftertaste will make it the ideal partner to noble fish or seafood dishes.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
The merest suggestion of ripe apricot beckons through an aromatic layer of dried lemon zest. The bone-dry palate then proceeds to push both these poles—the spiky taut lemon and the dreamy balm-like apricot—to their extremes in a wonderfully expansive but toned body. Concentration and finesse aligned to inherent power is what speaks from just a mouthful of this stuff. This is weapons-grade Riesling that kills with charm alone. The pure dry finish is outstanding.
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James Suckling
Tons of floral honey, candied citrus, papaya and pineapple, making this an unusual Alsace riesling. But it has a great balance and a very long, almost-silky finish. Impressive now, but will surely develop further in bottle
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Wine Spectator
Bright and mouthwatering, with a finely meshed profile of blood orange and melon fruit, apple blossom and pickled ginger, this delivers a lingering, minerally finish of stone and spice. Very appealing. Drink now through 2028.
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.