Monday, September 19, 2011

2007 Pinot Gris, Agathe Bursin


Les Divine d'Alsace is an association of female winemakers in Alsace. Besides Agathe Bursin, Melanie Pfister (DahlenHeim), Dominique Schoenheitz (Wihr-au-Val), Veronique Muré (Rouffach), Marie Zusslin (Orschwihr) and Sylvie Spielmann (Bergheim) and many others are among the members. Maybe it's my imagination, but I have never tasted a heavy, sticky or sloppy wine from one of them. Least of all from Agatha Bursin, who with almost pedantic care makes small masterpieces from all grape varieties.


2007 Pinot Gris from Agatha Bursin in Westhalten has scents of almond, clementine, ripe but not dried apricots, revieling grape material that is perfectly healthy. The taste is medium bodied, with zesty acidity and a long finish packed with clean, ripe fruit. A very well made wine with a long life ahead of it. Price: € 9www.alsace-wine.net/p/bursin.shtml

Sunday, September 4, 2011

2009 Pinot Gris Grand Cru Furstentum, Albert Mann

Furstentum is a heterogeneous Grand Cru located  high above the village Kientzheim due west of Colmar. Although the vineyard is located in due south, Furstentum has an ideal microclimate. Here,  the two families who constitute the firm Albert Mann, Maurice and Jacky Barthelme with wives, make biodynamic Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer of remarkable class and quality. Furthermore, all products, from the popular "Edelzwicker" Senteurs des Vignes to the Grand Cru wines from Pfersigberg, Hengst, Schlossberg, Steingrubler and Furstentum are crafted with incredible skill and typical of their terroir.

2009 Pinot Gris Grand Cru Furstentum from Albert Mann in Wettolsheim has a golden, brilliant color. The aroma is wonderfully fresh with apricot, smoke and toffee. The taste is rich and complex with a velvety elegance and very good structure, whereas the fresh acid easily carries the sweetness and adds to the eternal aftertaste. Price: € 20