Tasting Report | Alsace

Alison Napjus’ Recommended Wines From Alsace 250 wines were tased for this report. A free alphabetical list is available at www.winespectator.com/111516. WineSectator.com members can access complete reviews for all wines tasted using the online Wine Ratings search.

Top Wines Top VALUEs wine Score Price wine Score Price

Rolly Gassmann Riesling Alsace Rorschwihr 96 $295 Paul Blanck Pinot Gris Alsace 2014 92 $25 Sélection de Grains Nobles 2010 Creamy and well-balanced, with ripe Asian pear, spun honey, green Lithe, with hints of honey and candied citrus that belie a frame of almond and singed orange peel notes. whiplash acidity and lip-smacking nectarine and kumquat flavors. Albert Mann Pinot Gris Alsace Rosenberg 2014 91 $24 Albert Boxler Riesling Alsace Grand Cru 94 $85 Vibrant acidity imparts finesse, while a streak of smoky minerality Sommerberg Dudenstein 2013 drives flavors of yellow plum, Asian pear and lemon parfait. Balanced, long and elegant, offering a mix of melon, star fruit, blanched almond and lemon granita flavors, with rapier acidity. Muré Riesling Alsace Signature 2015 91 $24 Well-knit and lively, with flavors of crunchy pear, blanched almond Trimbach Gewürztraminer Alsace Vendanges Tardives 2009 94 $70 and star fruit accented by saline. Tangy. Harmonious, with vibrant acidity knit to rich flavors of dried papaya, lemon meringue, candied ginger, Thai basil and exotic spice. Bott-Geyl Riesling Alsace Les Eléments 2014 90 $21 Lacy, with mouthwatering minerality layered with peach skin, Albert Boxler Pinot Gris Alsace Grand Cru 93 $79 tangerine, honeysuckle and ground ginger notes. Sommerberg Wiptal 2013 Light-footed, with lush flavors of candied kumquat, dried papaya, Rolly Gassmann Riesling Alsace 2012 90 $25 grated coconut and spun honey layered with racy acidity. Silky, with nice acidity framing finely meshed flavors of glazed apricot, Honeycrisp apple and fragrant herb and spice. Marcel Deiss Alsace Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim 2011 93 $105 Zippy acidity and grated ginger and grapefruit zest accents interplay Schoffit Pinot Blanc-Auxerrois Alsace Vieilles Vignes 2014 90 $20 with honeyed notes of nectarine and orange marmalade. Lip-smacking and minerally, with a mix of crunchy white peach, apple blossom, smoke and pink grapefruit granita. Hugel Riesling Alsace Schoelhammer 2007 93 $145 Ethereal, with expressive flavors of ripe pear, star anise, melon rind, Trimbach Gewürztraminer Alsace 2014 90 $25 preserved lemon, crushed pine and mineral. Not a powerhouse, but elegant, linear and finely knit, offering fresh acidity and flavors of cantaloupe, orchard blossom and pickled ginger. Josmeyer Riesling Alsace Grand Cru Brand 2012 93 $72 Aromatic, fresh and creamy with slate-tinged minerality and flavors of Trimbach Pinot Gris Alsace Réserve 2014 90 $25 ripe yellow plum, nectarine, star anise, honey and lemon curd. Apricot, yellow plum, lemon curd and paraffin flavors are structured by firm acidity. Medium-bodied, with a savory finish. Rolly Gassmann Gewürztraminer Alsace 93 $60 Kappelweg de Rorschwihr 2012 Trimbach Riesling Alsace 2014 90 $22 Rich and fragrant, approaching off-dry, with textbook rose petal, This creamy version offers fine cut to its flavors of pear, smoke, fleur cream, lychee, ground ginger and cardamom notes. de sel, anise and lemon meringue.

Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Alsace 93 $60 Joseph Cattin Pinot Gris Alsace 2014 89 $17 Finely balanced and light- to medium-bodied, showing baked apricot, Wintzenheim Rotenberg 2014 Minerality underpins flavors of grainy green pear, star anise, slivered candied orange zest and spice notes, with a lightly waxy finish. almond and orange peel in this dry version, with a floral overtone. Kuentz-Bas Riesling Alsace 2014 89 $15 Creamy, with a bright frame of acidity and flavors of crushed almond, Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Alsace Grand Cru 92 $46 poached peach, candied grapefruit zest and star anise. Kitterlé 2009 A pure note of dried apricot is layered with spun honey, smoky min- Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Alsace 89 $18 eral and kumquat accents. Finely balanced, ending with a bitter hint. Les Princes Abbés 2014 Juicy acidity balances a mix of ripe nectarine, salted almond and Schoffit Riesling Alsace Grand Cru 92 $51 orange granita flavors, with a tangy, mineral-tinged finish. Rangen Clos St.-Théobald 2014 Elegant, with density to the weave of subtle minerality, vibrant acidity Helfrich Riesling Alsace 2015 88 $15 and pear, apricot and apple blossom flavors. Ends with a spicy finish. Salinity underscores white peach, apple and pickled ginger notes.

Trimbach Gewürztraminer Alsace 92 $48 Marcel Hugg Riesling Alsace St.-Jean Réserve 2015 88 $17 Cuvée des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre 2013 Bright, with nectarine, guava, ginger and blood orange granita flavors. Dry, with vibrant acidity and a streak of minerality framing honeydew melon, grapefruit sorbet, green almond and grated ginger flavors. Philippe Zinck Riesling Alsace 2015 88 $18 Candied grapefruit zest and ripe apricot lead this bright, lively white. Zind-Humbrecht Muscat Alsace Grand Cru 92 $65 Gueberschwihr Goldert 2014 Kuentz-Bas Alsace 2014 87 $13 Lacy in texture, this racy white offers rich minerality and tight-knit Lithe, with flavors of yellow plum, almond and lemon preserves. flavors of nectarine, Thai basil, grapefruit sorbet and white pepper. Domaine Rieflé Brut Rosé Crémant d’Alsace 87 $16 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Alsace Roche Calcaire 2014 92 $55 Bonheur Festif NV Rich, with a broad, creamy mix of ripe nectarine, pink grapefruit zest, Well-cut, with white cherry and salted almond flavors. grated ginger and green almond, enlivened by crackling acidity. Hugel Alsace Gentil 2015 86 $15 Zesty, with orange blossom, ripe melon and pineapple flavors.