ALSACE TOP 10
THESE WINES THAT EXEMPLIFY THE GREATNESS OF ALSACE GRAND CRU ARE ALL EITHER CURRENTLY IN THE MARKET OR ABOUT TO APPEAR.
DOMAINE WEINBACH RIESLING ALSACE GRAND CRU SCHLOSSBERG CUVÉE STE CATHERINE 2019
Score: 99
Enveloping bouquet of a thousand yellow fruits and some wild berries that’s just beginning to reveal its profundity. Gigantic concentration, but this remains as light on its feet as a prima ballerina.
FAMILLE HUGEL RIESLING ALSACE SCHOELHAMMER 2010
Score: 99
One of the world’s unique dry whites. This is deep and spicy with a ton of candied citrus. Stunning concentration, power and structure on the palate.
DOMAINE ZIND HUMBRECHT PINOT GRIS ALSACE GRAND CRU RANGEN DE THANN CLOS SAINT URBAIN 2019
Score: 98
Spicy and smoky with a hint of mushroom, this is a deep and concentrated dry pinot gris that’s just beginning to open up.
TRIMBACH RIESLING ALSACE GRAND CRU GEISBERG 2014
Score: 98
Aromas of limestone and hints of earth. Wet-morning forest floor. From the vineyards of the convent of Ribeauvillé, it’s been made separately since 2009. All organically farmed.
MURÉ PINOT NOIR CLOS SAINT LANDELIN 2018
Score: 96
The stunning balance of very fine tannins and delicate “sweetness“that pervades the long, supersilky finish reminds me of Grand Cru Musigny from Burgundy.
DOMAINE VALENTIN ZUSSLIN RIESLING ALSACE GRAND CRU PFINGSTBERG 2017
Score: 98
Hang your nose into a glass of this astonishing dry white wine and let yourself be swept away in a cloud of smoke. Then, when you’re inside it, the wine’s subtle, citrusy beauty will unfurl and you’ll realise that it can only be riesling.
DOMAINE MARCEL DEISS ALSACE GRAND CRU SCHOENENBOURG 2017
Score: 98 Super fresh for three years of age — the floral-honey and beeswax aromas are especially enticing.
DOMAINE PFISTER RIESLING ALSACE GRAND CRU ENGELBERG 2018
Score: 97
A masterpiece of cool elegance, in spite of this being the warmest vintage in living memory! Pristine with crystalline purity and a totally mineral personality.
KIENTZLER RIESLING ALSACE GRAND CRU KIRCHBERG DE RIBEAUVILLÉ 2018
Score: 95
A complex and elegant Grand Cru dry riesling with tons of wet-stone character, married to nice lemon and freshherb aromas.
DIRLER-CADÉ GEWURZTRAMINER ALSACE GRAND CRU SAERING 2018
Score: 94
Tons of spice and turkish delight here, yet this is anything but opulent. Powerful and rich, but also minerally and properly dry.