Riesling Heissenberg 2021 Ostertag | Alsace

The Heissenberg terroir literally translates as "Hot Mountain". The terroir lives up to its name. Situated on a steep, south-facing slope, it benefits from a microclimate that is highly favorable to Riesling cultivation. The soil is composed of pink sandstone and gneiss, which give this Riesling its richness.

André Ostertag's interpretation of this very sunny, seductive terroir is quite original. You'd think the winemaking had been designed to allow the wine to be drunk young, but no! Respecting the terroir is fundamental to André Ostertag. This talented winemaker, whom we greatly appreciate, wants to let his wine "live". The wine must evolve according to the characteristics of its terroir. This Heissenberg is astonishingly resplendent after a few years, despite its very sunny terroir, which might lead us to believe that it has less potential for evolution.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: I remember tasting a beautiful 1997 Heissenberg from Domaine Ostertag in 2017, which still had potential! It's a beautiful Riesling from a sun-drenched terroir.

On the nose, the wine is very pure, with a delicate bouquet of white flowers, straw and freshly cut grass. The mineral side follows, with hints of wet pebbles and flint.

The palate is clearly mineral and citrus. The terroir brings real complexity and sapidity. Controlled acidity prolongs the tasting to no end. A top-flight wine to wait for, to be enjoyed at least 5 years after bottling. Failing that, it should be decanted.

In a different style to Domaine Ostertag, and on a terroir classified as Grand Cru, Albert Boxler's Sommerberg is also worth a detour for those looking for dry Rieslings from sunny terroirs.