Riesling Sommerberg 2023 Grand Cru Albert Boxler | Alsace

Albert Boxler 's Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg is born on the emblematic hill of the same name, whose summit seems intent on climbing theAlsatian sky. At an altitude of almost 400 meters, the south-facing slope reaches 45°, revealing a friable granite substratum that imbues the wine with a unique saline energy. On these steep slopes, the old Riesling vines, cultivated using organic methods, stretch over almost 4 hectares, which cannot suffer from any approximation. Under the meticulous guidance of Jean Boxler, the hand-harvested grapes are pressed in whole bunches, then aged for almost twelve months on the lees in old foudres, to chisel out the natural verticality of the cru without weighing it down.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : The Sommerberg terroir is renowned for producing the most luminous dry Rieslings in Alsace. This cuvée embodies the quintessence of the place: in the glass, the pale gold color sparkles like quartz, the promise of a dry white where granitic tension dialogues with the solar maturity of this south-facing parcel of the Sommerberg Grand Cru. A wine sculpted by the rock, taut as the string of a perfectly tuned violin, but with pulpy flesh that embraces the palate. You can feel the perfectionism and talent of Jean Boxler, capable of restoring the soul of very old vines with the precision of a goldsmith. Keep it for ten years if you can, and you'll discover a Grand Cru of overwhelming depth, whose rarity will delight attentive enthusiasts.

On the nose, the wine opens with an armful of white flowers, fresh verbena and sage, enhanced by a characteristic mineral imprint of gunflint. Citrus essences mingle with hints of pineapple and passion fruit, inviting you to take the first sip.

The palate reveals a striking volume, where dense matter is crossed by streamlined acidity. The structure is resolutely vertical, typical of Sommerberg granite. Flavors of citrus and ripe yellow fruit meet a chiseled minerality that coats the palate and reinforces the sensation of purity. A smoky, empyreumatic nuance stretches through the finish, in dialogue with the vibrant salinity that is the hallmark of granitic Alsace. Persistence leaves a lasting impression of damp rock, blood orange zest and white pepper. This is a Riesling Grand Cru made to last through the decades.