Alsatian Wines
The Alsace wine region is virtually unique in France in that producers are allowed to put the grape variety on the label of their appellation contrôlée wines. It is also unique in that the grapes are both German and French: Riesling and Gewürztraminer, Muscat and Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. These are not light wines, but they have a combination of fruitiness and richness quite different from the German models just across the Rhine. Although primarily dry, some are sweet, so consult individual Alsace wine reviews to see in which style each wine is made. Our Alsace wine guide contains hundreds of Alsace wine ratings.
Domaines Schlumberger 2000 Vendages Tardives Cuvée Laure Pinot Gris
- Editors' Choice
- $67
Everything that’s good about late-harvest Pinot Gris is captured in this wine from the Kessler vineyard. The apricot and peach aromas are powerful, but it’s the acid-based nectarine, honey and maple flavors that really make the point. Clear and focused throughout.
— M.S.
(10/1/2003)
Marc Kreydenweiss 2001 Grand Cru Moenchberg Le Moine Tokay Pinot Gris
- Online Exclusive
Stunningly beautiful. Decadently rich and flamboyant, with its peach, honeysuckle, apricot, wildflower, vanilla and smoke aromas and flavors. Rich and sweet as honey, yet this wine is fully dry and quite crisp with acidity. Exquisite concentration, with the weight and density of a Grand Cru.
— S.H.
(1/1/2002)
Marc Kreydenweiss 2003 Grand Cru Kastelberg Riesling
- Cellar Selection
- $69
This Andlau vineyard has been planted since Roman times, making it one of the oldest vineyards in Alsace. It’s famed for Rieslings, and this wine shows why. It is full-bodied, but still hows some raciness and ripe acidity. At this stage, this great wine is still very young, but it has the potential to age for up to 20 years. Imported by Wilson Daniels Ltd.
— R.V.
(11/1/2005)
Leon Beyer 2000 Cuvée Comtes d'Eguisheim Riesling
- $52
Fruit from the grand cru vineyard of Pfersigberg forms the backbone to this great wine. Petrol and mineral aromas are a great introduction to the bone-dry white fruit, layers of citrus and crisp finishing acidity on the palate. It is still young, and surely needs another 10 years to mature. Imported by Martine’s Wines.
— R.V.
(11/1/2005)
Domaine Weinbach 2002 Grand Cru Cuvée Ste Catherine Riesling
- Online Exclusive
- $68
This wine pairs exceptionally with the Cuvée Ste Catherine L'Inédit. While that wine is at the top of Alsace Rieslings, this is not far behind. It is fatter, less austere, which means it will develop more quickly. But it still has a great pure streak of steely acidity, fresh apples and a fine, citric and tannic structure. It is, simply, pure Riesling.
— R.V.
(5/1/2005)
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 2002 Grand Cru Goldert Gueberschwihr Vendange Tardive Gewurztraminer
- $123
An intensely sweet wine with layers of dry spice that give it balance. From the rich, fertile Goldert vineyard. This soil character gives it a richness and ripeness already, at this early stage in its development. Still the wine is structured and should age well over 10 years.
— R.V.
(4/1/2005)
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