Riesling Altenberg of Wolxheim - 2005

Wine of Controlled Origin Alsace Grand Cru - White wine 13 % vol. - sugar : 9g/l

The vine :

• Soil type : Marl - calcareous, heavy and deep soil but rich in small calcareous stones, which enables the soil to harbour and maintain warmth.

• Exposure : Full South.
  « Wolxheim’s terroir » is perfectly adapted to Riesling, the king of the grape varieties in Alsace. Wolxheim’s vineyard has always been very coveted. As far back as the VIII century, abbeys from the region have owned vines in Wolxheim. In the 19th century a historian wrote that “ before 1790, Riesling was planted in Alsace in only a few privileged areas like the Altenberg.

• Vine management : Old Vines of 25 years old, much less vigorous, producing small grapes. A strong incentive to reduce the yield (15 grapes per vine) with disbudding in May and a green harvest in July.

• Haversting : As the yields are small, the harvest is carried out when the grapes reach a high level of concentration just at the beginning of over ripeness at 14 % vol.

A wine :

• Goals : Obtain a great wine, strongly influenced by its « terroir » with a good balance between intensity, complexity, fullness of the wine and acidic structure.

• Method used : Whole bunch pressing, long and gentle during 6 hours.
  Very long fermentation over 2 or 3 months.
  Maturing on fine lees until April.

• Drinking, cellaring potential and food-wine matches :
  - Brilliant colour with yellow, gold lights. The nose reflects the full ripeness of the grapes with notes of citrus and exotic fruits. Full taste, very long with an elegant acidity.
  - Good to drink now and can be aged over a minimum of 10 years.
  - Can be drunk alone but fantastic with nice fish and creamy sauces, white meats etc.

Back to the list of great vintages