Riesling Roche Calcaire 2017
Trade Tools
France / Alsace
Limestone (Calcaire) is an important formation in Alsace and is located on the foothills of the Vosges mountains. Different geological eras can be found in Alsace, and usually, the oldest types have less free lime and the opposite for the younger soils. This wine is mostly made from vineyards planted by my father in the 60s and 70s around the village of Gueberschwihr (home of the Humbrecht family). They are located on rich young limestone, quite deep soils that take longer to warm up, giving a late ripening cycle to the grapes. Limestone soils make broad wines with firm acidity. This is a very consistent wine made from vineyards that perform very well in warm years. The fermentation is always slower and so is the evolution in bottle.
92 Points
VinousMedia.com
2017 vintage
Harvest Note
2017 is remembered as an extremely challenging vintage. After a warm winter triggered early budbreak, the area was hit by 2 catastrophic waves of freezing temperatures in April. This ultimately reduced the crop substantially (90% in some parcels), stunned the vines, and led to tiny harvest volumes. The grapes which were brought in, however, were extraordinarly concentrated.
Tasting Note
Taut and energetic presence with bright citrus skin nuances, subtle floral notes, and a firm foundation of chalky limestone essence.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Riesling
APPELLATION: Alsace AOC
PH: 3
ACIDITY: 4.32 g/l
ABV: 12.5%
AGING: In neutral wood cask
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: Yes
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 14.9 g/l
Unique Selling Points
- Essentially a 2nd wine from multiple sites in the Gueberschwihr "calcaire" terroir
- This wine took over 1 year to ferment due to extreme concentration
- Riesling from calcaire subsoils delivers an incisive and precise expression
- Roche wines are an attractive entry into the very specific terroir-driven sites
Good wine is made by people who actually do everything they say they are doing.
Olivier Humbrecht M.W., Winemaker
About the Grape
Riesling
Riesling shows sublime, refined, vibrant aromas and flavors of peaches, apricots and white fruit, with floral and citrus blossom notes. May show slate, earth, tar, smoke or kerosene notes.
