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2016 Riesling Grand Cru “Sommerberg Dudenstein” Demi-Sec
Albert BoxlerJean Boxler in his Sommerberg vineyard
Jean Boxler is somewhat of a perfectionist. If a wine doesn’t meet his exacting standards—standards passed from one generation to the next and formed by the collective experience of decades of vintages—he’ll sell it to the local winery co-op, so the fact that this particular bottling exists at all is a pretty good indication that it’s something special. Boxler intended to make a vendange tardive, or late-harvest wine, which requires leaving grape bunches on the vine much longer than usual, but the conditions have to be just right. Unfortunately for him (and perhaps fortunately for us), an impending storm forced him to pick early. Though the fruit wasn’t quite right for a vendange tardive, it was still of exceptional quality. It was from the coveted Dudenstein parcel in the heart of the grand cru Sommerberg vineyard to boot, so he decided to bottle it as a demi-sec —a French term meaning “half-dry”—instead. And after several years resting quietly in bottle, here it is. The first pour is dominated by the classic petrol notes of aged Riesling, but aromas of honey, beeswax, and golden apple soon emerge. The palate is round and silky, the finish long and lingering, yet lightened by Riesling’s inherent freshness. Each sip invites another, and another; it’s a rare gift from an uncompromising domaine.
—Dustin Soiseth
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2016 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Riesling |
Appellation: | Alsace Grand Cru |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Albert Boxler |
Winemaker: | Jean Boxler |
Vineyard: | 65 years |
Soil: | Granite |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Edelzwicker Réserve
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Often featuring grand cru fruit, this bottling is arguably the ideal entry point to Boxler’s range of magnificent white wines.
2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
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Everything that comes from Domaine Albert Boxler seems to have an extra dash of magic, and this debut bottling of Pinot Gris from the grand cru of Florimont is no exception.
2022 Pinot Blanc
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With beautiful texture and notes of honeysuckle, peaches, and stones, this Pinot Blanc is a masterful display of subtlety and refinement.
2022 Riesling
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Here is a Riesling that will have you contemplating texture and terroir above anything else.
2022 Gewurztraminer
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Regal, opulent, and commanding—the finest perfumer in all of France couldn’t craft a more stunning scent.
2017 Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives “Boland”
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A deep and luscious dessert wine for the ages, it is loaded with aromas of flowers, spices, and dripping honey—an utter masterpiece of Alsatian viticulture.
2022 Sylvaner
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With unrivaled versatility at table and guaranteed mouthwatering abilities, Sylvaner brings something new and fresh to the table
2021 Riesling “Réserve”
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Made from young vine fruit from Grand Cru vineyards, this Riesling delivers delicious fruit, crispness, and minerality beyond its price point.
2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
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Decadent, rich, stony, and a touch off-dry—hard not to love.
2019 Pinot Gris
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Sweet spices conceal an edgy undercurrent, making this Pinot Gris both versatile and alluring.
About The Producer
Albert Boxler
Jean Boxler, currently rules the roost at this humble yet incredibly exciting domaine. Intense and serious about his land, his craft, and his wine, Jean is the genius behind what are certainly some of the finest white wines in Alsace (and the world). World War II brought Jean’s grandfather Albert back to Niedermorschwihr from Montana, where he was busy enjoying the natural gifts of big sky country. He became the first generation to bottle the family’s production himself and commercialize it under a family label. Tasting through the entire range of Boxler’s wines is ample proof of the fact that Alsace, along with Burgundy, is the source of the world’s most complex, exciting white wines, and will probably always be.
About The Region
Alsace
Tragically, Alsace might be the most misunderstood wine region of France. In spite of its long history of viticulture and tremendous diversity of pedigreed terroirs, a past fraught with marketing mishaps has left consumers baffled as to what exactly to expect inside one of these mysterious tall, thin bottles.
The good news, on the other hand, is that a new wave of quality-oriented growers is working hard to put Alsace in its rightful place as one of the world’s most fascinating sources of fine white wine. By embracing tradition, respecting terroir, and making a concerted effort to better communicate the countless virtues their wines have to offer, they have succeeded in putting Alsace back on the map.
Crafted from a number of grape varieties and beautifully interpreting the region’s mosaic of soil types, our Alsace imports are by and large dry whites offering exceptional versatility at table. While each of these selections is ready to be uncorked tonight, the finest among them are also capable of maturing for many, many years in a cool cellar. Expect kaleidoscopic aromatics, lively acidities, and loads of terroir transparency in these skillfully crafted masterpieces. Enjoy a foray into the thrilling world of the world’s most underrated wine region, and certainly do not hesitate to contact our sales staff with any questions as you take off on this mouth-watering adventure.
More from Alsace or France
2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
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2018 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
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2022 Muscat “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
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2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
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2019 Pinot Gris “Réserve”
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2022 Chasselas
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2019 Pinot Gris
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2019 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
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2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
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2018 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Muscat “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris “Réserve”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Sylvaner “Oolithe”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Réserve
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Chasselas
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236