Schlumberger Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Kessler, Alsace, France, 2015
Overview of the Wine
With a single holding of more than 330 acres at Guebwiller, Domaines Schlumberger is the largest Grands Crus producer in Alsace. All Schlumberger wines are estate-grown. Seventy-five percent of the vines are planted on very steep, terraced slopes, requiring horses be used for fieldwork.
The outstanding quality of the wines is due largely to Schlumberger’s superior vineyards, but also because yields are deliberately kept low. The winery produces only 80,000 cases annually, while the law allows for up to 160,000.
First distinguished in 1699, Kitterlé has always had an exceptional reputation. Already protected in the Middle Ages, it has been sold under its own name since 1830.
Location: Kessler lies on a bedrock of sandstone and in the middle of this plot there is a small valley facing east, south-east which shelters it from the north winds and cold airstreams which comes from the valley of Guebwiller. A natural extension of Grand Cru Kitterlé.
Wine-making: Whole grape pressing, static racking. Fermentation in thermo-controlled tuns for 1 to 4 months. Ageing on fine lees for 8 months.
Grape / Blend
Gewurztraminer
Origin
Alsace, France
Tasting Notes
"The robe is light golden yellow with green reflections of good intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The wine shows brilliant youth.
The nose is marked, pleasant and intense. Sophisticated, we perceive a dominant of exotic scents : grapefruit, banana, litchi, papaya and flowers (rose). The airing enhances these scents and reveals mango, passion fruit, spices and candied ginger. The superb quality of the raw material gives a brilliant, precise and distinguished nose. It radiates the expression of this excellent grape variety.
The onset in the mouth is dense, fleshy and mellow. It shows a superb silky touch and a full-bodied alcohol support. The wine evolves on a medium with a frank liveliness, marked by a sparkling note. The range of flavours is in line with that of the nose, still dominated by citrus fruits (orange, grapefruit), exotic fruits (litchi, banana, mango, papaya), flowers (rose) and spices (candied ginger). We perceive a hint of savoury varietal bitterness. The finish has a long length, 9-10 caudalies, and a frank liveliness and a persistent bitterness. The superb structure is savoury. The rich and mellow body is admirably set against the edge and the refreshing firmness. All bathed in sophisticated aromatic flavours." - M.Pascal Leonetti (“Best Sommelier of France 2006”)
Food Pairing
Remarkable wine to taste alone but it can also be associated with shrimp over rice with a spicy sauce, a sliced chicken with mandarins and a spicy sauce, a pot of pork with Sichuan pepper or a soft and washed-rind cheeses. Serve at a temperature of 12°C.
95 Points - James Suckling
A complex nose with plenty of candied-grapefruit and pineapple character, as well as some fresh lychee and a hint of spices. Great textural complexity and some real minerality, making this concentrated gewurztraminer stand out of the pack. The finish is stunning. Delicious now, but this will be even better from 2020. The sweetness will be even better integrated.
93 Points - Vinous
Bright yellow-gold. Refined aromas of mirabelle, spicy tropical fruit and honey. Very rich, honeyed and clean, displaying an enticing crystalline quality to the rich, round papaya, mango and sweet spice flavors. Finishes juicy, vibrant and very long. A great wine, with real personality.
Product size: 750ml
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