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2019 Pinot Blanc “Les Jardins”
Domaine OstertagPinot Blanc, rare and exciting in Burgundy, its homeland, sometimes comes off as a bit ordinary and yawn-inducing to many in Alsace. There, where it is often over-cropped and planted in ill-suited terrain, bottlings can be bland. In contrast, the Ostertags long ago took to working their six small Pinot Blanc plots—or “gardens,” as they refer to them—biodynamically and by hand. Plus, in a nod to the grape’s Burgundian roots, they ferment and raise their Pinot Blanc in old barrels sourced from friends in the Côte d’Or. The result is, well, rare and exciting, to say the least. Floral and peach aromas give way to a rich, mouthwatering structure. Best to drink it now, given its vibrancy.
—Chris Santini
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Pinot Blanc |
Appellation: | Alsace |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Domaine Ostertag |
Winemaker: | Arthur Ostertag |
Vineyard: | 20+ years, 0.8 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone, Granite |
Aging: | Aged 9 months sur lie |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region
2020 Riesling “Fronholz”
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Fronholz’s vibrant mix of fruit and earth, flesh and structure, is Domaine Ostertag’s hallmark.
2019 Pinot Gris “Réserve”
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This wine shows how understated, finessed, and downright glorious dry Pinot Gris can be in Alsace.
2020 Pinot Gris “Les Jardins”
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Perfect for when a wine with a bit of extra weight and less acidity is called for.
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
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Ostertag’s “Mountain of the Monks” parcel has absolutely everything going for it.
2021 Riesling “Les Jardins”
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This zippy Riesling from Ostertag is bone dry and thirst quenching.
2019 Riesling “Le Berceau, lieu dit Pflanzer”
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Imagine if in Alsace, deep beneath the earth, there were a Riesling aquifer...
2020 Pinot Gris “Fronholz”
France | Alsace
Fronholz is a vineyard composed primarily of quartz, and the taste of an Ostertag wine from here is reminiscent of this stone: sleek, transparent, and brilliant.
2020 Riesling “Heissenberg”
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Lush fruit, stony flavors, and completely dry...you will be thinking twice about why you didn’t buy more!
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
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Ostertag’s “Mountain of the Monks” parcel has absolutely everything going for it.
2020 Pinot Gris “Zellberg”
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Hot stone and white pepper liven up the backbone of this extraordinarily complex, unique white.
About The Producer
Domaine Ostertag
To call André Ostertag a revolutionary winemaker is to tell just half the story. He is a pioneer, certainly, but also an ardent environmentalist. After training in Burgundy, André returned to the family domaine in Alsace with renewed zeal: he lowered yields considerably and introduced viticultural and vinification techniques from other regions to his own home ground. He looks for the nuance of terroir rather than the typicity of a grape varietal. André rejects formulaic, scientifically engineered wines, and since going biodynamic in 1997, has been an active member of the natural farming community.
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
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2021 Pinot Noir “Altenbourg”
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2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
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2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
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2017 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
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2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
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2020 Pinot Gris “Zellberg”
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2021 Pinot Noir “Altenbourg”
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2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2017 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2021 Pinot Blanc
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2022 Gewurztraminer Réserve
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Riesling “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Trois Châteaux”
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Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174