The first vintage, 2017, was declassified to Alsace Riesling. The 2018 Grand Cru Schlossberg was commercially successful but still not at the potential top. But the 2020 Grand Cru Schlossberg hits the goal for Mathieu Deiss. Indeed, the nose, from a big glass, is clear and refined but also very rich, elegant and complex, fruit-intense and lemon-fresh and reveals ripe yellow plum (mirabelle) aromas. Round and elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, pure, crystalline and salty, very intense and finely tannic Riesling with a long finish but a certain reduction of complexity or generosity. However, this is an impressive Schlossberg with power and purity yet a certain lack of texture or mid-palate. The grapes were picked on 18 September and pressed for six hours, and the wine as bottled with 13.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork.
BOW (8.50)
James Suckling (98)
Number 60 of the Top 100 from 2023
This Alsace Grand Cru has incredible ripeness and concentration - think baked peach and apricot - but also a strict minerality and northerly freshness that are astonishing for the hot and dry vintage. So precise and pristine at the crystalline finish that extends out towards the distant horizon. A field blend of traditional varieties, based on riesling. From organically grown grapes with Ecocert certification. Drink or hold.
