Albert Boxler - Riesling Brand Kirchberg Grand Cru 2019 (750ml)
Price: $87.00
| Producer | Albert Boxler |
| Country | France |
| Region | Alsace |
| Varietal | Riesling |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Sku | 1413280 |
| Size | 750ml |
Wine Advocate: 93+ Points
From vines planted in 1947 facing east and in very poor soil the 2019 Riesling Grand Cru Brand Kirchberg is pure but intense and concentrated on the dense and aromatic nose that also reveals saline notes of crushed stones. On the palate this is wider-mashed refined and somewhat sweetish Brand. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in April 2022. 2020 was "a quiet vintage" says Jean Boxler. "You sat on the terrace enjoyed the sun and the warmth and were pleased with two thunderstorms that saved the vines from drought stress." Ripening was very rapid so that the harvest began as early as August 21 and Riesling could also be harvested soon after Pinot Gris. "By mid-September we were through with everything. The grapes tasted good and ripe and since we want to produce dry wines we had to start early even earlier than officially allowed because the acids were rather mild. The must weights were nevertheless between 95° and 100° Oechsle so our wines are all at about 14% alcohol. Especially the old vines had no problems at all in 2020 as well as in 2018 unlike in 2021 when just the young vines delivered the ripest grapes. In 2020 however they were a bit stressed. Most of the time our Jeunes Vignes or Réserve selection best reflects the vintage character while the old vines reflect the terroir of the Sommerberg with its different plots." Compared to 2015 another very hot and dry vintage with very powerful wines Jean Boxler finds the 2018s and "probably also the 2020s" to be more elegant. As for the 2020s the Pinot Noir shows less color than usual but tastes fine and elegant. I also tasted the 2019s at the domaine. They came from an extremely balanced year that was never too warm got enough rain in the summer and led to a relaxed harvest in September and October. In the end the autumn was sunny and dry and led to concentrated grapes with balanced acidity which was especially good for the Rieslings and Sylvaner. All in all Jean has managed three outstanding vintages in 2018 2019 and 2020 which contain some of the finest most harmonious and impressive Rieslings and Gewurztraminers that may have been produced here in the grands crus Sommerberg and Brand. In any case I have never been higher with the ratings. If you're looking for great dry Rieslings of the world you can't go past Domaine Albert Boxler and there are unlikely to be better Rieslings on granite soils anywhere.
