The Clos Häuserer takes its name from the small road on the bottom of the Clos. It stands for the road to the houses, in reference to an old 6th century Romain settlement just above in the Hengst vineyard. The actual name of the lieu-dit is Unterersoedlen (under the South) which is one of the most important lieu-dit part of the Hengst Grand Cru. When my father planted this 1.16ha Clos in 1973, he named it Häuserer in order to avoid confusion. The Clos enjoys a protected warm climate and a gentle east facing on a deep rich marl limestone soil. The Oligocen mother rock is a good meter deep but these old vines have now reached it for some time. It is an extremely consistent vineyard, but prone to spring frosts because it is too protected by the surrounding hills. The 2021 grapes were beautiful and produces a very dry mineral driven wine.

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
Pale yellow color. Inviting wet rock, mineral driven nose. Despite being still tight and almost austere, the aromatics are complex and precise: citrus fruits, sharp zesty lime, herbs… The palate is pure, precise, tight, very dry. The acidity is typical of the limestone geology: incisive but also salivating and juicy. The 2021 appears today extremely young and will require some years of cellaring to fully express all its potential. Long tight finish. Usually the high clay content in the soil brings a comforting velvety mouthfeel on the Clos Häuserer wines. In 2021, it is a much stricter intense sharp style but so enjoyable.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Riesling
APPELLATION: Alsace AOC
PH: 3
ACIDITY: 5.2 g/l
ABV: 12.10%
AGING: 12 months in large foudres
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: Yes
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 1.9 g/l
Unique Selling Points
  • Certified Organic and Biodynamic
  • Very old vines in a priveledged limestone site
  • Unbroken winemaking lineage in Alsace since 1620
  • 97 points James Suckling, 92 points Vinous
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