Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Olivier Humbrecht points to his 2011 Muscat d’Alsace Goldert as an illustration of why he has been replacing Muscat Ottonel with Muscat Petites Grains, as the latter can hang longer without becoming too alcoholic and at the same time hang on to acidity. A provocatively and enticingly pungent not to mention complex nose of basil, peppermint, lemon zest, orange rind, iris and orange blossom leads to a palate and finish of cut, clarity and brightness such as I would not have expected from this genre and vintage had it not been for this wine’s origin in Gueberschwihr highly calcareous, high-elevation, Muscat-tested vineyards. Not only the sense of levity, energy and sheer juiciness on display here but also a sense of chalky underpinning seems unmistakably to testify to Goldert terroir. Hints of pine needle and lemon pip add to the already mentioned pungent components for a mouth-shakingly invigorating as well as consummately refreshing finish. Don’t miss out on this spectacularly successful dry Muscat in its youth; but if possible set aside a few bottles to drink through at least 2028, because savoring older Goldert from a good vintage is nearly always a remarkable experience
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Wine Spectator
Dry and sleek, with vibrant, lip-smacking acidity, this presents a note of zesty minerality underscoring the tightly meshed flavors of tangerine, papaya, pickled ginger and lemongrass. The persistent finish echoes the fruit character. Drink now through 2020. 50 cases imported.
While Muscat comes in a wide range of styles from dry to sweet, still to sparkling and even fortified, it's safe to say it is always alluringly aromatic and delightful. The two most important versions are the noble, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, making wines of considerable quality and Muscat of Alexandria, thought to be a progeny of the former. Somm Secret—Pliny the Elder wrote in the 13th century of a sweet, perfumed grape variety so attractive to bees that he referred to it as uva apiana, or “grape of the bees.” Most likely, he was describing Muscat.
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.