We are thrilled to bring two incredible wines to South Africa from the globally renowned winemakers, Julien and Sophie Schaal.
The Alsace region is in the northeast of France, at the meeting point with Germany and Switzerland. This historic region has been making fine wines since Roman times, and we are excited to share the fine wines of Alsace with South African winelovers.
This is the home of aromatic varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris that excel on the cool slopes of Alsace.
Grand Cru is a designation awarded to only the greatest historical vineyards. They make up a tiny percentage of vineyards – only about 5% of all Alsace wines are “Grand Cru”.
Winemakers Julien and Sophie Schaal work with 6 different Riesling Grands Crus, and this year we are delighted to bring you two of them.
These wines offer us two different expressions of Alsace riesling, with grapes from two distinctly different single vineyards.
The ‘Sommerberg’ presents with bright lemons and pineapples while the ‘Schoenenbourg’ shows a more powerful style, with a richer herbaceous nose.
“The Schoenenbourg and Sommerberg are probably the two most different Grands Crus that we produce.”
– Julien Schaal
The wines
Julien Schaal Alsace Grand Cru ‘Sommerberg’ Riesling 2022
100% Riesling
Alsace
From a 45 year old vineyard, the Sommerberg is situated on a very steep slope (45°), faces due south, and exceeds 400 metres of elevation.
The ‘Sommerberg’ Riesling, very typical of this area, will express its true potential after having been kept for one to three years, and can be cellared for up to 10 years.
Lovely, intense minerally nose with complex lime fruit, a touch of honey and some spice. Rich but bone dry palate with lovely mineral extract and intensity. Quite tight with good acid structure; good potential for development.
David’s notes:
Notes of lemon, lime, pear and pineapple. Open, more fruit and less structure than the Schoenenbourg, mineral acidity, no petroleum characters as it ages because of the granite. Very fragrant and open.
Julien Schaal Alsace Grand Cru ‘Schoenenbourg’ Riesling 2022
100% Riesling
Alsace
Situated to the north of Riquewihr, the vineyard runs along the rather steep south and south-east flanks of the Schoenenbourg hillside, at an altitude of 265 to 380 metres.
Drink now or age this wine for up to 20 years.
A deep, rich herby nose displays sweet, lime-edged fruit. There’s some smoky depth, and hints of honey. The palate is concentrated and full, with the medium sweet fruit framed by good acidity and a minerality.
David’s notes:
On limestone, clay, gypsum, more diverse soils. More powerful, savoury, and vinous. All about texture and structure. Juicy acidity. More weight. Slower aging. Saline edge to the fruit.
Alsace Grand Cru | Julien Schaal
We are thrilled to bring two incredible wines to South Africa from the globally renowned winemakers, Julien and Sophie Schaal.
The Alsace region is in the northeast of France, at the meeting point with Germany and Switzerland. This historic region has been making fine wines since Roman times, and we are excited to share the fine wines of Alsace with South African winelovers.
This is the home of aromatic varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris that excel on the cool slopes of Alsace.
Grand Cru is a designation awarded to only the greatest historical vineyards. They make up a tiny percentage of vineyards – only about 5% of all Alsace wines are “Grand Cru”.
Winemakers Julien and Sophie Schaal work with 6 different Riesling Grands Crus, and this year we are delighted to bring you two of them.
These wines offer us two different expressions of Alsace riesling, with grapes from two distinctly different single vineyards.
The ‘Sommerberg’ presents with bright lemons and pineapples while the ‘Schoenenbourg’ shows a more powerful style, with a richer herbaceous nose.
“The Schoenenbourg and Sommerberg are probably the two most different Grands Crus that we produce.”
– Julien Schaal
The wines
Julien Schaal Alsace Grand Cru ‘Sommerberg’ Riesling 2022
100% Riesling
Alsace
From a 45 year old vineyard, the Sommerberg is situated on a very steep slope (45°), faces due south, and exceeds 400 metres of elevation.
The ‘Sommerberg’ Riesling, very typical of this area, will express its true potential after having been kept for one to three years, and can be cellared for up to 10 years.
Lovely, intense minerally nose with complex lime fruit, a touch of honey and some spice. Rich but bone dry palate with lovely mineral extract and intensity. Quite tight with good acid structure; good potential for development.
David’s notes:
Notes of lemon, lime, pear and pineapple. Open, more fruit and less structure than the Schoenenbourg, mineral acidity, no petroleum characters as it ages because of the granite. Very fragrant and open.
Julien Schaal Alsace Grand Cru ‘Schoenenbourg’ Riesling 2022
100% Riesling
Alsace
Situated to the north of Riquewihr, the vineyard runs along the rather steep south and south-east flanks of the Schoenenbourg hillside, at an altitude of 265 to 380 metres.
Drink now or age this wine for up to 20 years.
A deep, rich herby nose displays sweet, lime-edged fruit. There’s some smoky depth, and hints of honey. The palate is concentrated and full, with the medium sweet fruit framed by good acidity and a minerality.
David’s notes:
On limestone, clay, gypsum, more diverse soils. More powerful, savoury, and vinous. All about texture and structure. Juicy acidity. More weight. Slower aging. Saline edge to the fruit.
View Julien Schaal’s wines in the shop
Please contact david@exanimo.co.za if you have any queries.