Millesima USA LLC – New York Fine Wine Merchant
The wines of Alsace hardly need an introduction. Known for white wines like Riesling or Gewurztraminer (among others), this region also has 51 Grand Cru vineyard plots, each one with a unique terroir and strong identity.
Alsatian wines are of course wonderful when drunk young, fresh, lively, and full of fruit. However, certain top vintages have incredible aging potential, like the best Chardonnays from Burgundy or whites from Pessac-Leognan in Bordeaux.
It is easy to understand how a rich, sweet Gewurztraminer could evolve over time to develop ripe fruit aromas and a round richness while keeping its elegance. However, a dry and crisp Riesling will be quite different. It will instead develop subtle notes of lemon zest, dried grapefruit, ripe pear, and white flowers.
© Trimbach
Alsatian Rieslings are fruit-forwards wines with mouthwatering but balanced acidity. When a bottle is aged 5 to 10 years (or even longer), it develops another level of complexity that reveals the nuances and subtleties of its terroir. At this time, the minerality of the wine becomes the driving flavor. Some wines will even develop the classic Riesling aroma of petrol, all in balance with the fruit. Age-worthy Alsatian wines are seeking-out and following their evolution over time.