Riesling Roche Granitique
2017
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 respect for the vine and soil is very important for Olivier and is team of vineyard workers. All viticultural work is carried out by hand with the help of some horses to plough the vineyards with minimum impact of the soil. All vineyards have been certified organic and biodynamic since 2002. Low impact farming is practiced, organic composts are used and yields are restricted.
All wines are fermented in traditional oak vats using native yeasts. No additives are used, and chaptalization is never carried out. The wines are left on their lees and ferment at there own pace, the wines are not fined. Very little sulfites are added and the wines are bottled after at least 6 months on the lees.
The fruity aromas (white fruits, pears) are mixed with more toasty, rock dust scents. It is possible to sense how this wine is going to open up and deliver fabulous aromas in the near future. The wine hits the palate full on, delivering a silky smooth texture where the ripe acidity brings salivation on the finish. It is a very enjoyable wine, delicate yet lasts a long time on the palate. The granite influence can be seen through the generosity of taste and pleasure this wine brings. The great origin comes on the finish with the presence of noble tannins. It can be enjoyed now, but will still improve for many years.
So effusive and vibrant, yet also blessed with great aromatic charm, this has a stunning combination of pineapple juiciness and smoky character. Then comes the very long, precise finish that’s so stony. From biodynamically grown grapes.
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A flinty cloud of reduction constitutes the nose for now. On the palate a picture of citrus is drawn with precision and freshness. Lemon and tangerine are alive with zest and tanginess. Sharp and crystalline, the finish is irresistible in its lip-smacking, concentrated slenderness.
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You can really smell and taste all the sunshine of the warm and dry 2020 summer in this bold and rich dry riesling, with its nose of ripe pineapple. The very fresh acidity enables it to carry easily the almost 14% of alcohol, giving the long finish impressive drive and pushing the crushed-rock minerality. Partly from the Grand Cru Brand, the rest from a nearby vineyard. From biodynamically grown grapes.
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This is a blend from different sites that, as the name suggests, have granitic soils. A sizeable component of the blend comes from Grands Crus Brand and Sommerberg. The nose is delicate and not that expressive now. But it's fresh and crisp on the palate, with limpidity and finesse. There's fine acidity and a distinct minerality too. Long nutty finish.
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