Sylvaner 2023 Albert Boxler | Alsace

Albert Boxler 's Sylvaner was born on the vertiginous slopes of Niedermorschwihr, in the granite hills ofAlsace. Heir to a family saga begun in 1673 and propelled in 1962 by Jean Boxler, this Haut-Rhin wine estate has quietly established itself as one of the leading lights of the Alsace wine scene, thanks to demanding organic viticulture , measured yields and patient ageing in old foudres. The year 2023, marked by a dry summer followed by cool nights, sharpened the acidity and concentrated the juices; the harvest, which reached perfect ripeness in early September, offered exclusive volumes of striking purity. The old Sylvaner vines, deeply rooted in granite, deliver a crystalline juice that combines fruity brilliance and saline resonance. Its extraordinary refinement and remarkable complexity place this cuvée among Alsace's finest wines.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Albert Boxler's Sylvaner is a superlative. Exemplary in its masterly balance, it surprises with the intensity and precision of its aromas, and displays radiant concentration while retaining a refreshing uprightness. Proof, if proof were needed, that humility and excellence can coexist in a winemaker's cellar, Jean Boxler demonstrates his unrivalled talent in the mastery of his meticulous winemaking, from his smallest cuvées to great names such as the Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg. An indispensable benchmark for all lovers of Alsace whites.

On the nose, the cuvée opens with a sparkling bouquet of white peach, green apple and delicately candied citrus zest. A framework of crushed stone enhanced by lightly mentholated spring herbs brings relief and freshness. After a few moments' aeration, accents of blond cereal, fresh pear and dried fruit complete the picture, inviting you to return again and again.

The palate is lusciously luscious, with a basketful of crunchy fruit. A crystalline tension soon stretches the material, energized by touches of candied kalamansi. The fine saline structure and wet-stone minerality confer a vibrant energy reminiscent of the greatest Haut-Rhin white wines. The lingering finish, with its subtle hints of wild herbs, is a wine of balance and precision, equally suited to gastronomy and ageing.