Bott-Geyl Riesling Grafenreben 2020

Domaine Bott-Geyl is an Alsatian family estate with around two centuries of history, farming its 14 hectares biodynamically since 2002. This Riesling comes from the Grafenreben plot in the village of Zellenberg, a site regarded as a younger sibling to the estate's Grand Cru vineyards. It sits on a slope of clay and limestone, and that combination of water-retaining clay and free-draining limestone gives Riesling both flesh and a firm mineral spine. Riesling is prized in Alsace for its transparency to site, and the dry continental climate behind the Vosges mountains lets it ripen slowly while holding its natural acidity. The wine is fermented dry and aged nine months on its lees in stainless steel, which adds texture and breadth while keeping the fruit clean and the aromatics precise. It is pale straw in the glass, with lemon, green apple and white peach on the nose over white flowers. The palate is taut and dry, driven by fresh acidity and a saline, stony finish. Serve at 8 to 10 degrees.