The cream of the crop in Alsace are the Grand Cru, 51 small hillside sites with superior 'terroir' producing wines of greater intensity and finesse. The Schoenenbourg Cru is a block of vines on the slopes above the town of Riquewihr, The philosopher Voltaire once owned vineyards in this Cru! There are just 7 vignerons who now own segments of Schoenenbourg, different parts of it planted in Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Muscat.
The soils of the site are 'Keuper' - laid down in the late Triassic epoch some 220 million years ago, including clay with fragmented dolomite, gypsum and sand.
Notes from the winery: light but intense, complex aromas of apricot, yellow and white fruit, curry leaf and saffron, ginger and candied zest, a note of incense. Chiseled, harmonious, beautiful aromatic palette, lively and spicy persistence.
This is an 'off dry' style (contrasting with the dry style of the first tier Riesling) with a little touch of sweetness balanced with a firm backbone and great structure. Excellent wine, enjoy now or happily decant for a decade.
The cream of the crop in Alsace are the Grand Cru, 51 small hillside sites with superior 'terroir' producing wines of greater intensity and finesse. The Schoenenbourg Cru is a block of vines on the slopes above the town of Riquewihr, The philosopher Voltaire once owned vineyards in this Cru! There are just 7 vignerons who now own segments of Schoenenbourg, different parts of it planted in Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Muscat.
The soils of the site are 'Keuper' - laid down in the late Triassic epoch some 220 million years ago, including clay with fragmented dolomite, gypsum and sand.
Notes from the winery: light but intense, complex aromas of apricot, yellow and white fruit, curry leaf and saffron, ginger and candied zest, a note of incense.
