Riesling Sommerberg D 2023 Grand Cru Albert Boxler | Alsace

Albert Boxler 's Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg "D" was born on the steep terraces of Dudenstein, in the heart of graniticAlsace. Planted between 1946 and 1953, the Riesling vines on this parcel of just 80 ares are rooted in a unique substratum where granite outcrops rest on limestone and clay veins, giving the wine an extraordinary mineral density. The 2023 vintage, marked by an exceptionally dry season and deliberately moderate yields, produced small berries of rare concentration without excess sugar. Jean Boxler 's rigorous organic viticulture demands extra dedication here. On these vertiginous 45° slopes, green harvesting can only be carried out by hand, with no possibility of mechanization. Winemaking continues in this meticulous vein, with whole bunch pressing before spontaneous fermentation in old foudres, followed by ten to twelve months ageing on fine lees in very old foudres. The result combines the saline power of Sommerberg with the limestone depth of Dudenstein, offering a singular interpretation of this major Alsace Grand Cru.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: Jean Boxler 's cuvée "D" is one of the wine estate's rarest Grand Crus. It embodies the perfect balance between density and tension. Each bottle reflects generations of taming this steep slope, and its aromatic precision is close to the summit. After ten years' cellaring, this Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg will speak the language of the greatest dry whites, but the derisory quantity available will only satisfy the most vigilant connoisseurs...

On the nose, the wine opens with impressive mineral aromas reminiscent of petrichor and heated stone. Aeration reveals a bouffée of fresh citrus, pink grapefruit and lime, lemon caviar and yuzu, coupled with notes of pineapple and fresh nectarine, honeysuckle, verbena and peppermint, creating an aromatic profile of intense complexity. Subtle flinty smokiness, discreet but tenacious, underlines the granite nobility of this Grand Cru.

The palate is full-bodied and velvety, immediately invigorated by a lively, controlled acidity that propels the wine to a striking verticality. Juicy orchard fruit intertwines with fresh aromatic herbs, ripe citrus fruit follows exotic fruit, while a stony minerality weaves a delicate smoky weft and reinforces the sensation of relief. Gradually, a persistent salinity emerges, reminiscent of the Dudenstein's granite limestone footprint, and prolongs the finish on long, savory caudalies. The result is a racy, concentrated Alsace Riesling whose energy and purity promise a majestic evolution over two decades and more.