2017 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.

July, 2021

Stuart Pigott

jamessuckling.com

93 points.

Youthful and discreet nose of white peach and pink grapefruit with overtones of wild herbs, lemon zest and licorice This has quite some density, but remains very sleek, almost austere, with a lot of herbal and mineral depth. Drinkable now, but better from 2023.

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About Paul Blanck

Originating in Austria, the Blanck family moved to the cultural melting pot that is Alsace centuries ago. It’s getting on for 200 years since this particular branch established a wine business in Kientzheim. Since the mid-1980s, cousins Frédéric and Philippe Blanck have been in control of the organic-certified estate, placing a sharp focus on the vines and the soil they grow in. They farm 24 hectares in total, with grands crus and highly prized lieux-dits accounts for more than two-thirds. 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. “We wish to share with everyone the force and diversity of Alsace; the richness of the grape varieties and the joie de vivre of its people,” they say. 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 the mid-1980s 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.”