Schoenheitz Riesling 2023

Schoenheitz farms this Riesling in Wihr-au-Val, in the heart of the Munster Valley in Alsace, working vineyards on south to south-west facing slopes that in places are steep enough that every task is carried out by hand. The soils are granite, which drains quickly and gives the wine a fine mineral spine, and the mountain setting brings cool nights that preserve acidity and lift the aromatics. As the only bottler in the municipality, the estate controls the fruit from vine to bottle, and the grapes are grown organically. Fermentation is dry and carried out without oak, keeping the focus on primary fruit and the clarity of the site. The wine is a bright pale yellow with green glints. The nose is intensely fragrant, with white flowers such as jasmine to the fore, followed by green apple, pear and fresh lemon. The palate is dry and taut, driven by clean acidity, with a stony, citrus-edged finish that reflects the granite. Serve chilled at 8 to 10 degrees in a white wine glass.