2013 Tout Naturellement, Florian Beck-Hartweg

To make a vin naturel, without any sulphur or filtration, the work starts in the vineyard. For example, the biodiversity at all trophic levels needs to be high, above ground as well as in the soil itself. This allows nutrients to be retained and released optimally, provides a natural protection to pests and gives room for a suite of natural yeasts. The vines should have the right vigour and photosynthetic capacity to bring aromatic complexity rather than excess sugar to the grapes. In the cellar you need a knowledgeable, skilled, inventive, curious and dedicated producer such as Florian Beck-Hartweg.

2013 Tout Naturellement by Florian Beck-Hartweg in Dambach-la-Ville is made from Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. The scent is soft, expressive and inviting with apples, physallis, yellow plum, fresh herbs and a wiff of yeast that contributes to the complexity. The taste is round, rich and vibrant with pronounced fruitiness and fresh but not aggressive acids that come through quite late on the palate. A perfectly balanced wine that is really, really good and versatile! Price: €9.20.

2008 Riesling Cuvée Prestige, Beck-Hartweg

In the southern part of the Bas-Rhin the best slopes are granitic. The geology is not as complex as some tens of kilometers south around Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr and the other famous villages in the heart of the Alsace vineyards. The wines from the granites of Bas-Rhin grow in a pretty cool microclimate and are clean, crisp and crunchy with nice acidity. Growers avoid botrytis on the bunches because in order not to risk that the wines lose their elegance.

2008 Riesling Cuvée Prestige from Beck-Hartweg in Dambach-la-Ville has all the classic Riesling components in the fragrance. There are apples, candied lemon and acacia but also a smokiness reminiscent of Chablis. The taste is medium bodied with layers of ripe fruit, while the tartaric acid gives the wine a wonderful structure, and the aftertaste has a slight, mineral saltiness. Extremely well made and inspiring, created by the mere 25-year-old Florian. Price: € 7.

2007 Pinot Noir "F", Beck-Hartweg

Alsace Grand Cru wines may (almost) only be produced from the four "noble" grapes. However, many growers have love to have some Pinot Noir, Auxerrois and Sylvaner on their prime land. To make the terroir visable for the customers, many chose to name their wines with a clear reference to the Grand Cru in question. That is why we see Pinot Noir "P" (for Pfersigberg), Auxerrois "H" (for Hengst) or Sylvaner "Z" (for Zinnkoepflé).

2007 Pinot Noir "F" from Beck-Hartweg in Dambach-la-Ville has grown on Grand Cru Frankstein. The color is brilliant and show some sign of maturity. On the nose, the wine offers cinnamon, cassis, raspberries and vanilla. The taste is light, fresh and elegant with very good Pinot fruit and a mature tannic structure. Price: € 10.