Domaine Paul Blanck 2017 Riesling, Schlossberg, Alsace Grand Cru AOC

Item Number: 17750

UPC: None

Country: France
Region: Alsace
Sub Region: Alsace
Appellation/AVA: Alsace Grand Cru AOC
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vineyard Designation: Schlossberg Vineyard
Vintage: 2017
Grape(s): 100% Riesling
Type: Wine - White
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 13
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Soil Type: Granite
Elevation: 1,000 feet

The Schlossberg Vineyard: The Schlossberg Vineyard has long been recognized as a special terroir. The land was planted to vines before the Middle Ages. Then around 1180, Frederick Barbarossa, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, appropriated vineyard parcels around the Kaysersberg castle property–hence the origin of the name Schlossberg, castle mountain. The official name Schlossberg was identified as early as the 14th century. Then in 1975, Schlossberg was the first vineyard to officially become an Alsace Grand Cru site.

The 80.28 hectares of this Grand Cru sit on a very steep hillside, which requires terraced farming. South facing, its warm granite soils bring an unmistakable freshness to the wines, which are also characterized by a richly floral bouquet very present in the first years, before minerality asserts its presence after 5 to 10 years of aging. The material composing the parent rock results from metamorphosis crystallization of migmatites (blend of gneiss and granite) and biotite granite from Kaysersberg.76% of the vineyard is planted to Riesling, which beautifully captures the mineral potential of the granite soil.

Winemaking Notes: The Schlossberg Riesling grapes are manually harvested. Pressing is slow and gentle. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with indigenous yeast in stainless steel. The wine ages on its lees in large oak barrels for 12 months. It rests for 2-3 years further in bottle before release to the market.

Pairing Suggestions: Scallops, Oysters, Turbot, Halibut