Magnum Pinot Noir "T'as pas du Schiste ?" 2023 Catherine Riss | Alsace

Catherine Riss 's Pinot Noir cuvée "T'as pas du schiste" is made from plots of vines aged between 15 and 45 years, planted on blue schist. Half of the harvest is vinified in whole bunches, using indigenous yeasts. Maceration lasts around 18 days to extract substance and tannins, while preserving the freshness of the fruit. Aging takes place in old barrels for over 12 months, with no added sulfur.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Catherine Riss is a talented winemaker with a strong character, whose personality is evident in her wines. "T'as pas du schiste?" is a Pinot Noir in her image, with an assertive style, a little austere at first, but extremely elegant and complex with a little aeration. As far as I'm concerned, this is one of the finest examples of "natural" Pinot Noir, along with the wines from the Pierre Frick wine estate. A true masterpiece.

After a good two hours' oxygenation, the nose reveals scents of redcurrant, peony, rose petal and a touch of cocoa. One senses a great sensitivity to precision in winemaking. A splendid first approach.

Fresh and bright on the palate. The tannins are fine and juicy. Aromas of redcurrant and wild red fruit, with a hint of spice. But it's above all the minerality of the blue schist terroir that takes the tasting to heights of refinement, bringing depth and density.