2010 Paul Blanck Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg

Paul Blanck

France / Alsace / Paul Blanck

An exceptional vineyard. At 200-300m, the Schlossberg slope lies on the Kaysersberg migmatites and the intruding granite of Thannenkirch, whose arenaceous character provides very fertile, mineral soil, composed both of coarse sand and clay.
The variety of minerals (potassium, magnesium, fluorine, phosphorus) determines the finesse and aromatic complexity of its wines. Schlossberg slopes so steeply that vines are grown on terraces.
The juice is extracted with infinite care in an air-bag press. The slow, gentle pressing avoids crushing the stalks and pips. The must starts fermenting of its own accord thanks to the natural yeast present in the juice, and the fermentation generally lasts from four to 10 weeks. It is carried out in stainless-steel vats equipped with temperature control, a medium which maximises the expression of this variety's aromas.
The wine is matured on its lees in large oak barrels for 12 months. This lees-contact contributes richness to the wine. What is more, the oxygen that passes through the pores of the wood brings about a gentle oxidization of the wine, opening up its aromas in the process. The wine is then bottled and aged for two to the further years before release.

November, 2012

Ian D'Agata

Vinous Media

93+ points

Pale straw. White grapefruit, chamomile, mint and almond paste on the nose. Fruity, ripe and bright, with juicy flavors of tropical fruits and minerals. Shows lovely balance and very good cut, with the long finish repeating the minty quality. This very refined riesling seems much less sweet than its 40 g/l residual sugar would indicate; no doubt the 10.5 grams of acidity and very low 3.06 pH have a lot to do with that.

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About Paul Blanck

Blanck may be a new name for CellarHand but that’s certainly not the case in Alsace. It’s getting on for 200 years since the family established a wine business in Kientzheim. For the past 30 years, cousins Frédéric and Philippe Blanck have been in control, placing a sharp focus on the vines and the soil they grow in. The domaine has increased its holdings from 24 to 36 hectares, with five grands crus accounting for more than a third. Sometimes the brilliance of Alsace – its terroir and the spice, minerals, freshness and sweet fruit it delivers – gets overlooked by the wine-drinking world. There’s little chance of that happening with the Blancks around, and we’re very happy to be the ones to help them share it.

About

Along with his cousin, Philippe Blanck, Freddie took over the estate operation in 1985, with a mission to create wines of pure pleasure for winelovers the world over. From the word go they have worked tirelessly to respect the vines and soil upon which they are planted. As they put it, “We wish to share with everyone the force and diversity of the Alsace ; the richness of the grape varieties and the joie de vivre of its people.”