GROSSBERG 2008 - Red wine (aged in oak barrels)

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Limestone/sandstone piedmonts - wine aged in oak barrels

Appellation:

Alsace

Locality:

Grapes coming exclusively from two plots of vines owned on the Grossberg hillsides.

Type of soil :

The Louis SIPP parcels of Grossberg are situated in the geological fracture zone of Ribeauvillé. They are found west from the Grand Cru Kirchberg vineyards. The Grossberg vineyard lays over a hard layer of chalk and sandy marls. The soils are made of sands, limes and chalk. The exposition to the sun is south south-west. These chalky, early fruiting hillsides allow low yields with a high level of richness. All these factors are well adapted to the growth of Pinot Noir vines.

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 :

Dense red color with amber notes. Complex nose combining red fruits, vanilla notes, and hints of oak flavors. On the palate this wine is in the style of the cool vintages like 2006 and 2006 : vivacity and elegance…

Tips for consuming :

This Grossberg is now ready for drinking. An ideal accompaniment to cold meats and salads, poultry and white meat, red meat, game, and finally with some cheeses. Works well also with dark chocolate. Un unusual pairing that works well.

ines and vinification:

This Grossberg is coming from vineyards driven with low yields, thanks to a strict management of the vigor of the vines. Fully ripe grapes are manually harvested, destemmed and slightly crushed before maceration and fermentation. After a smooth pressing the wine is aged a couple of months in oak barrels and then bottled.

The 2008 vintage:

The 2008 vintage followed a long and cold winter that lasted until April and leaded to a late bud burst late April, ten days later than in a normal year. This delay has been partly recovered thanks to a month of May particularly hot, especially during the nights. The humid and fresh flowering conditions spread the blooming over a long period. This was not without consequences on the dates of the grape picking. During summertime hot and humid periods leaded to locally heavy thunderstorms. August brought fresh temperatures that allowed a good preservation of the acidity in the grapes. This was especially the case for the noble acidity, the tartaric acid. Finally, the slow maturing process combined with relatively fresh temperature conditions induced the formation of fine varietal flavors combined with well balanced acidities. The grape picking period took place under fresh and windy conditions which preserved the good sanitary condition of the grapes but also their acidity. Each plot of land has been picked at its optimal maturity with the consequence of a very long harvesting period. The wines from this vintage are typical, elegant, fresh, and fruity.