Furstentum Riesling

Type du vin : aromatic dry white
Cépage : Riesling
Alcool : 13 % vol
Température : 10-12 °C
Conservation : 15 years
Bronze medal white dry - Decanter world Wine awards 2006

Silver medal - International Wine Challenge 2006

Terroir:

Furstentum 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 juice is extracted with infinite care in our air-bag press. The slow, gentle pressing avoids crushing the stalks and pips.
The must starts fermenting of its own accord thanks to the natural yeast present in the juice, and the fermentation generally lasts from 4 to 10 weeks. It is carried out in stainless-steel vats equipped with temperature control, a medium which maximises the expression of this variety's aromas.

Elevage:

The wine is matured on its lees in large oak barrels for 12 months.
This lees-contact contributes richness to the wine. What is more, the oxygen which passes through the pores of the wood brings about a gentle oxidization of the wine, and the subsequent opening up of its aromas.
The wine is then bottled and aged for 2 to 3 further years before being offered for sale.
This bottle-ageing also plays a role in the wine's development. Here, the opposite of oxidization happens: thanks to certain reactions in the oxygen-free environment, the bouquet develops and takes on subtler nuances.

Tasting note:

1st tasting:
Delicate, tasty, subtle flavours of yellow peach, slightly floral (peony). Wine of sure balance, deeply fruity, with great length and finesse.
Despite its relative suppleness it has serious structure, making a few more years' wait necessary.
Best: 2006/2007.
Tasted in January 2004 by Jean-Louis Sampoux and Stéphane Dechevis - Alsace-Terroir
website specializing in Alsace wine.


2nd tasting:
Bright colour, not a hint of green.
It expresses the quality of the vineyard eloquently, both through its restrained force and its complex but hardly piercing aromas (orange, strawberry and a touch of menthol). Above all it has great power on the palate; it is full-bodied and exudes breed, yet finesse remains its most omnipresent quality. It has serious length, finishes on a fruity note, concise and gently astringent. This vintage deserves a special award.
Best 2007/2010
Tasted in November 2005 by Jean-Louis Sampoux and Stéphane Dechevis - Alsace-Terroir
website specializing in Alsace wine.

3rd tasting:
Beautiful appearance, clear golden yellow in hue. Nicely limpid and bright. Glistens splendidly, with delicate tints the gold of straw thatch – between golden and emerald-green tints.
Nose of the most perfect temperament and manners. Fine, princely aromas of the most noble variety, with no trace of untoward exoticism. A litany of flowery and fruity aromas, intermingled with spices as uncommon as they are complementary, none predominating, and wallflowers and celery.
Good sense rules, yet there are pleasures to be enjoyed.
Palate of both flavoursome yet steady attack. Displaying very chivalrous cohesion, here manners sup at the same table as vitality, with as much desire as restraint. Vigorous and valiant at heart, yet its temerity will gradually disappear, to be replaced by rippling smoothness, while retaining a pleasant fringe and freshness (like a peppermint, without the inconvenience of its taste).
Subtlety in its finish, enabling it to become enamoured of both succulent farm and river produce.
Finale almost endless, blurring languorously in splendidly savoury fine spices.
A real treat and a discreet 'apothecary's cure' for tucking into a delicious meal in elegant company. 10-11°C.
Alain SEGELLE - 20 July 2005.  

When & with what:

As it stands, given its immaturity we recommend drinking it as an aperitif or with starters, terrines, fish, or typical Alsacian dishes like sauerkraut or hot-pot.
In the years to come, it will be a perfect match for warm sea-perch mousseline or delicately-flavoured fish, and eventually for grilled fish.

REFERENCES:

-  Hugh Johnson - Guide des Vins du monde entier 2007


- Bronze Medal - white dry over £10
"Quite broad nose. Classic, mellow; evolved Riesling palate; off-dry, elegant, well balanced. Drink now".
DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS: ALSACE


- Silver medal - International Wine Challenge 2006