Apr
28
Spotlight on Alsace: Barmes-Beucher Hengst Grand Cru Riesling 2005
This is the final post in my Alsace series, ending on a contrast to yesterday’s exceptional offering from Zind-Humbrecht. For a wine made in the same soils as Zind-Humbrecht’s Clos
Apr
27
Spotlight on Alsace: Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Clos Hauserer Riesling 2005
That’s right, this spotlight is still putting along, but it is delicious putting. Zind-Humbrecht seems to elicit controversial feelings amongst my wine geek colleagues. Some find the wines hard to
Apr
4
Spotlight on Alsace: Albert Mann Rosenberg Riesling 2008
This is my kind of riesling. It seems that superb fruit isn’t limited to the Grand Crus. That, of course, also means that this Rosenberg riesling is a very good
Mar
29
Spotlight on Alsace: Marc Tempe Rodelsberg 2005
There is an irony to be found in Alsace in the wines of Marc Tempe. Tempe has signed on fully to Nicolas Joly’s Rennaissance des Appellations group that supports an
Mar
25
Spotlight on Alsace: Domaine Albert Mann Riesling Schlossberg Grand Cru 2008
It is once one enters the realm of Riesling that Alsace becomes truly exceptional. There is so much variation in style when it comes to Riesling that it is hard
Mar
22
Spotlight on Alsace: Domaine Ostertag Heissenberg Riesling 2005
Ostertag is nothing if not opinionated. As a man who is not afraid to say “I detest Nicholas Joly” one might be surprised to learn that Ostertag is a strong
Mar
19
Spotlight on Alsace: Marcel Deiss Pinot Blanc Bergheim 2005
Jean-Michel Deiss is a poet amongst poets. He articulates his philosophy of the vine with such grace that it is hard not to be drawn into his passion. For Deiss
Feb
25
Spotlight on Alsace: Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Altenbourg Cuvee Laurence 2005
We are back to the ancient Clos du Capucins monastic site now owned by Domaine Weinbach, but this time looking at the intriguing Pinot Gris variety. To Grand Cru or
Feb
23
Spotlight on Alsace: Albert Mann Pinot Gris Grand Cru Furstentum 2008
Pinot Gris is usually a synonym for insipid due to the torrent of atrocious high-yield quality-unconscious production of this grape from wine regions far and wide, including our own backyard.
Feb
9
Spotlight on Alsace: Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Furstentum “Clos des Capocins” Cuvée Laurence 2004
The name Weinbach is synonymous with both very high quality and very high prices. Weinbach has been directly responsible for me resdiscovering a number of Alsatian varieties like Muscat and