Riesling Vignoble de Katzenthal 2024 Meyer Fonné | Alsace

Domaine Meyer-Fonné 's Riesling Vignoble de Katzenthal is an emblematic Alsace wine, aptly expressing the singular geological identity of Katzenthal, a typical village nestled in the heart of the vineyards. This cuvée comes from south-facing plots on steep slopes composed of two-mica granite, a poor, filtering soil typical of the Vosges relief, which imparts a remarkable mineral tension to the wine. This terroir favors slow ripening, giving the old Riesling vines a crystalline, floral and upright expression, where aromatic purity is enhanced by elegant natural acidity and fine salinity. For many years, Félix Meyer has been refining this cuvée, often judged to be worthy of Grand Cru terroirs, by blending it with young Riesling vines from the Wineck-Schlossberg Grand Cru. The viticulture is carried out by hand, without concession, and the winemaking follows a low-interventionist approach: slow fermentation, indigenous yeasts, long ageing on fine lees in old tuns. The result is a pure, lively, racy Riesling that faithfully reflects the granitic character of Katzenthal and the Domaine Meyer-Fonné signature.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : The Riesling Vignoble de Katzenthal is often considered the "first" Riesling of the wine estate, but its quality goes far beyond what this hierarchy might suggest. It's a veritable calling card for the Meyer-Fonné style: tension, mineral brilliance, straightforwardness and remarkable aromatic depth. In certain vintages, its finesse, balance and exemplary drinkability rival that of a Grand Cru. It embodies the purest and most precise of Alsace wines in a dry Riesling.

On the nose, the wine expresses hints of verbena, lemongrass, ginger and honeysuckle with great elegance. Aromas of fresh citrus round off this very fine, intense aromatic expression.

On the palate, the wine reveals a charming, sparkling substance. The liveliness of this Riesling brings freshness and balance to the tasting, which is carried through by an airy acid framework. Aromas of flowers and aromatic herbs delicately envelop the palate, while a sapid minerality with accents of warm stone lends the finish a resolutely gastronomic style. One never tires of such purity.