The Rotenberg vineyard is located on the steep western/northwestern slope of the Grand Cru Hengst in Wintzenheim. The oligocene limestone is here very rich in iron, giving a distinctive red brick color to the top soil, which is actually very thin as the mother rock is very close to the surface. This thin soil explains why yields are always low in the vineyard, any vintage. It is unfortunately the price to pay to produce Pinot-Gris wines that have character and taste without the help of over ripeness and botrytis. It is classically one of the Pinot-Gris that has the highest acidity on the domaine, and therefore one of the slowest to ferment.

96 Points
jamessuckling.com
2021 vintage
Harvest Note
2021 was a challenging vintage which resulted in small volumes of extraordinary wines. The frost of April 6th significantly reduced the final harvest volumes. June & July saw heavy rains leading to rapid growth but unfortunately mildew also. August and September were sunny and dry, with harvest from September 15th to October 2nd. The small crop fermented quickly, alcohols were below usual levels, and all wines fermented completely dry.
Tasting Note
Intense yellow gold colour. Just like the Riesling wine from the same vineyard, the Pinot-Gris shows a beautiful limestone mineral expression. The pallet is very dry, almost severe at first, at the same time very velvety and quite strict. It however opens with time, showing some citrus fruits, honey, bee wax, white fruits. The finish is long, given a sense of a classic dry wine, not powerful but just elegant. Very enjoyable today! The firm ripe acidity will allow this wine to age extremely well.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Pinot Gris
APPELLATION: Alsace AOC
PH: 3.2
ACIDITY: 4.3 g/l
ABV: 12.60%
AGING: 12 months in large foudres
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: Yes
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 0.6 g/l
Unique Selling Points
  • Certified Organic and Biodynamic
  • 96 points James Suckling 3.29.23
  • Unbroken winemaking lineage in Alsace since 1620

About the Grape

Pinot Grigio
This grape makes fresh, crisp, charming wines with apple, pear, almond and acacia flower aromas and clean, stone fruit flavors, or creamy, honeyed wines with spice, blossom and mineral aromas.
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