Riesling Alsace Grand Cru Sommerberg
2022
Olivier Humbrecht is one of the world's most renowned winegrowers. He is a Master of Wine and has been described by Robert Parker as the greatest white winemaker on earth. Yet he is very soft spoken, humble, and self-deprecating, which makes him perfectly suited to his assumed role as a global ambassador of wine. He is a champion of terroir, biodynamic farming principles, and non-interventionist winemaking, whose family have been winegrowers in Alsace for 12 generations (since 1620). He is...
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The very steep hills of the Sommerberg Grand Cru vineyard are shaped like a succession of crescents, facing the south on a biotite granite. The small parcel the domaine owns is on the sub section called Dudenstein within the Grand Cru. Sommerberg, or hills of summer/sun, enjoys a solar exposition. However, the village of Niedermorschwihr is under the shadow of the Vosges mountains earlier than Turckheim, so Sommerberg is slightly less precocious than Brand. It is only a few days difference, but consistent every vintage. Sadly, this vineyard got hit by a severe hailstorm mid-August 2022 affecting mostly the clusters exposed to the west. Eventually, after severe selections, as the hail provoked early rot on the damaged berries, we were able to harvest a small but nice crop. Long fermentation and ageing on full lees ended up with a very dry Riesling wine.
Pale gold colour. Attractive nose showing fruity aromas with this classic granite purity and early expressive style. The palate is remarkably fresh and possesses that crystalline Sommerberg signature. Velvety texture, dry structure with a harmonious saline acidity, a trait often found in the 2022 vintage. Medium power, elegant mouthfeel, suave and so easy to drink with long lasting flavours
The very youthful, slightly flinty nose barely hints at the beauty of the more open, medium-bodied palate, which has concentrated, extremely fine and nuanced peach fruit. Then comes gigantic stony minerality that drives the super-long and focused finish. Limited production due to hail damage to part of the producer’s holding. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.
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The August hailstorm hit the 2022 Riesling Sommerberg Grand Cru, which meant 50% of the crop was lost and concentrated the rest. This is from a granite site with more topsoil. Gorgeous white and yellow peach are perfumed on the nose, just edged with peach skin and citrus. The palate is absolutely pristine, so clear-cut, bell-like in its purity. It just flows. Despite its relative mildness, the 2022 is precise, balanced, bone-dry and supremely juicy, with more lovely peach skin on the finish. (Bone-Dry)
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