Sweet, succulent wine’ was ‘complex and balanced’ and that it would easily last for a long time yet.”
Great, beautiful, rare.
Soil:
The Furstentum Grand Cru lies at 400m altitude, facing due south.
It is one of the last remaining vestiges of the sub-Mediterranean era which Alsace experienced.
The soil is very stony and drains well because the calcareous bedrock breaks through.
Vinification:
The grains nobles are picked grape by grape during successive passages through the vineyard. They are in a shrivelled, concentrated state at the moment of picking, having been affected by "noble rot" (Botrytis Cinerea). This concentration masks the varietal characteristics somewhat, yet gives the wine exceptional complexity and power.
The juice is delicately extracted in our air-bag press. The slow, gentle pressing avoids crushing the stalks and pips.
The fermentation proceeds at a controlled temperature in stainless-steel vats.
It gets under way of its own accord thanks to the natural yeast found on the grape skins. As for the Botrytis Cinerea, it concentrates the grapes' sugar levels (80 to 150 g/l of residual sugar) and acidity. The resulting sweet wine is complex and very concentrated, and has enormous ageing potential.
Elevage:
Once the fermentation is over, the wine must be matured. This stage is essential, in order to fix its structure and aromas.
As it matures, the tiny particules in suspension (residue of stalks and skins, yeast and protein substances) gradually sink to the bottom of the vat and form a deposit, which contributes body to the wine. Bottling then takes place, and the wine is aged for 4 to 5 years before being offered for sale.
This wine is more powerful than the Vendanges Tardives, and may be kept for 15 years or more.
Tasting notes:
Golden yellow.
Strong aromas of candied citrus fruit, infusions, honey, flowers, botrytis, great complexity.
Very lively, ample, with an extraordinary spine, it ends with the magnificent aromas of the nose.
Great, beautiful, rare.
When & with what:
For sipping as an aperitif, or on those very special occasions....
Crayfish with allspice.
Soufflé with pineapple icing.
After the dessert, with a cigar.
Press:
94 - 2007 Domaine Paul Blanck Riesling Furstentum Selection de Grains Nobles
Knockout nose combines racy fresh apricot, a deep honeyed quality and a whiff of game. Boasts a rare combination of glyceral-rich but extremely fresh fruit, with very strong acidity giving cut and lift to the captivating white peach flavor. The nobly rotten fruit here was the product of three tries over a period of three weeks. An SGN of compelling class and finesse, with an extremely long, weightless aftertaste. According to Frederic Blanck, this has 120 g/l r.s. and more than 10 grams of acidity.
