Domaine Weinbach, Riesling Schlossberg Grand Cru Alsace 2020

97 points James Suckling
"This smells like a whole room filled with fresh and dried flowers. Then, as it unfolds in the glass, wild-herb and dried citrus-zest aromas unfurl. In spite of the generous ripeness, this is tremendously elegant and focused, with a ton of crushed-stone minerality. So crystalline at the very fine and delicate finish. And the saline character adds yet another dimension to this extremely complex picture. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold."

Jancis Robinson
"Full bottle 1,336 g. Certified organic.
Delightfully firm with so much personality and the sensation that you are licking stones in the vineyard! So firm, so pungent, yet so fruity. Gorgeous wine, essence of Riesling and already approachable. Steely finish suggests a long life ahead. Bone dry and very long.17.5/20 points."

Vinous Reverie Notes
At the foot of the majestic Schlossberg hill surrounded by vines and roses, lies Domaine Weinbach. Named after the little stream which runs through the property, and planted with vines since the 9th century, it was established as a winery in 1612 by Capuchin friars. After being sold as national property during the French Revolution, it was acquired by the Faller brothers in 1898 who then left it to their son and nephew, Theo. Theo Faller was a prominent figure in Alsace winegrowing and an ardent defender of quality wine production. After his death in 1979, his wife Colette, his daughters Catherine and Laurence, and their team continued the family’s passion for the great wines of Alsace and its unrelenting commitment to excellence. Since 2016, Catherine has led the estate winery with her sons, Eddy and Theo. Employing both organic and biodynamic practices. Grand Cru Schlossberg: on a base of granite rocks, the soils are brown, slightly acidic, pebbly, of very good mineral fertility, of a shallow depth at the top of the slope and deeper at the bottom. The Schlossberg’s steep, south-facing slopes ensure exposure to optimal sunshine. The soils are very well-drained and warm up very rapidly. The Schlossberg is particularly favorable for Riesling (which is a late-maturing grape and needs as much sunshine as it can get), producing here a very pure expression of the grape, with remarkable finesse and elegance. This specific cuvee comes from plots located at the top of the hill (1,000 to 1,150 feet altitude). Tasting Notes: Offers a delicate nose of fresh orchard fruit and light floral notes with a touch of beeswax. The granite of the terroir can be felt through a crisp and vivid acidity. The palate is light-bodied and balanced with a slight minerality for an endless finish. Food Pairing: Perfect accompaniments are seafood and white fish dishes such as pan-fried lemon Sole and grilled Red Snapper with thyme. Try with Sushi. Also a perfect pair to goat cheeses.