Alsace Grand Cru KIRCHBERG de RIBEAUVILLE 2016 - Riesling

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Dry, cristalline, vibrating

16.5/20 in Bettane & Desseauve 2019 Guide
15.5/20 in  Guide de la Revue du Vin de France 2019

Appellation :

Alsace Grand Cru Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé

Locality:

The Kirchberg hill at Ribeauvillé. Classified as Grand Cru by a ruling of 1975, the wines of these vineyards have been recognized as exceptional for many years. According to Médard Barth, the famous historian of the Alsace vineyards, the wine land was first mentioned in 1328. Today, the specialists confirm that the Kirchberg Grand Cru belongs to the elite of the Alsatian Grands Crus.

Type of soil:

This hill benefits from a South and South East facing positioning which, in conjunction with a very steep slope, confers it an excellent level of sunlight during the fruit's maturing period. The substratum at the foot of the hill is composed of dolomitic marl from the triassic period and dolomite from the lower Muschelkalk. Higher up it is composed of brightly colored sandstone and gypsum marl from the middle Muschelkalk. At an altitude of 270 to 350 meters, the vineyard's soil is rich in clay and often very stony. Our plots of Riesling are in the historical heart of the Grand Cru on the steep Southern slope. The stony core of the soil lies fifty centimeters below the surface. This forces the roots of the old vines (average age of 30 years) to penetrate deeply.

Certified organic grapes for an enhanced terroir expression:

Started in 2005, our conversion to organic production took a concrete form three years later in 2008 with the ECOCERT certification. Since 2012, all the cellar operations are also covered by the European specification so that we can now speak about organic wines.

Wine character:

We have here a vibrating wine from a fresh vintage. The nose exhibits the maturity of the grapes. On the palate the wine is direct, straightforward, with tension and hints of flinty flavors. Even if this wine is not yet fully open, its construction and structure will guarantee a good ageing potential like all the Grands Crus Kirchberg.

Tips for consuming:

Will be a perfect pairing with all the dishes calling for a dry aromatic white wine: Sea food, crustaceans, river fishes, fishes with sauce, scallops, with meat but also mild cheese and gat cheese. It can go with a whole meal.
Can be enjoyed today on its secondary flavors. A couple of years more of bottle ageing will allow it to develop the full complexity of the Kirchberg. Knowing the structure of the Kirchberg wines, this wine will easily face the years.

The 2016 vintage:

After a mild but humid winter, the reserves in ground water could be regenerated.
The vines started their development on a normal date mid-april. The fruit potential was great but a high pressure of diseases due to heavy rainfalls reduced it significantly. Thanks to a very dry and hot summer the remaining grapes could be preserved under very good conditions.
Finally, the 2016 wines show good maturity with great tension.

Press:

16.5/20 in Bettane & Desseauve 2019 Guide
15.5/20 in  Guide de la Revue du Vin de France 2019