Notify me
2016 Riesling Grand Cru “Sommerberg Dudenstein” Demi-Sec
Albert Boxler

Jean 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

2020 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
France | Alsace
Soaring with aromas of brioche and praline, this lush and luxurious bottling sets the benchmark for Crémants everywhere.

2022 Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg “Dudenstein”
France | Alsace
The Dudenstein bottling, produced only in great years, represents the pinnacle of Boxler’s wine-growing prowess.

2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Sommerberg”
France | Alsace
It’s hard to imagine this beauty could taste any better than it does now, but I’ll be curious to revisit it in five to ten years.

2023 Riesling Grand Cru Brand “Kirchberg”
France | Alsace
One whiff of this might make you want to plunge right into the glass

2023 Muscat
France | Alsace
A masterfully made Muscat is an aromatically divine experience.

2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
France | Alsace
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.

2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
France | Alsace
Decadent, rich, stony, and a touch off-dry—hard not to love.

2022 Pinot Gris
France | Alsace
Sweet spices conceal an edgy undercurrent, making this Pinot Gris both versatile and alluring.

2022 Riesling
France | Alsace
Here is a Riesling that will have you contemplating texture and terroir above anything else.
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
2021 Gewurztraminer “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Riesling “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2023 Edelzwicker
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Blanc Vieilles Vignes “Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Muscat Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Pinot
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2018 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2021 Gewurztraminer “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Riesling “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2023 Edelzwicker
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Blanc Vieilles Vignes “Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Muscat Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Pinot
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2018 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
Where the newsletter started

Where the newsletter started
Every three or four months I would send my clients a cheaply made list of my inventory, but it began to dawn on me that business did not pick up afterwards. It occurred to me that my clientele might not know what Château Grillet is, either. One month in 1974 I had an especially esoteric collection of wines arriving, so I decided to put a short explanation about each wine into my price list, to try and let my clients know what to expect when they uncorked a bottle. The day after I mailed that brochure, people showed up at the shop, and that is how these little propaganda pieces for fine wine were born.—Kermit Lynch