2019 Domaine Ostertag 'Muenchberg' Riesling - ALSACE, FRANCE. 750ml
Grand cru vineyard. Demeter certified organic.
Muenchberg means the “mountain of the monks” and was first planted in the 12th century by the Cistercian monks. We own 2.05Ha of which 1.65Ha are planted with Riesling. Muenchberg is one of the most unique grands crus of Alsace because of its very particular soil of red sandstone and volcanic sediments. It's a wonderful south-facing amphitheatre of vines in a closed valley, in the Vosges foothills, protected to the west by the 901m Ungersberg peak. The altitude ranges between 250 and 300m which prevents excessive heat and helps to keep complexity in the wines. Like all the domaine's vineyard the Riesling vines are farmed using biodynamic principles, and certified organic. We pay particular attention to manual tasks on the vines, because machines may be necessary sometimes but they will never have “man’s hand’s intelligent sensitivity. The 2019 vintage was sunny, and gave racy wines thanks to dry extracts rarely reached before. We find beautiful density in the middle of the mouth, while time and aeration will allow the wines to unfold. The finish mouth is prolonged by beautiful bitterness and punctuated by a refreshing touch. The grapes are gently airbag-pressed as whole bunches for 10 hours. Spontaneous fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, where it was aged on its lees for 20 months. It was bottled at the end of May 2021 with a balance of 14% alcohol, 1g/L of residual sugar and 7g/L of total acidity. It's a dry wine, certified organic and biodynamic. Here's a wine of incomparable nobility and length with pulpy and delicate flesh. Here the balance in the mouth is due to the perfectly complementary sandstone and volcano. The sensual and gentle sandstone ensures a charming entry and the primitive, muscular volcano allows the wine to stretch out on a fine, interminable and almost salty finale so characteristic of Muenchberg. Patience is always rewarded with the wines of Muenchberg. They are always brilliant in their first spring, after a long decant, but the terroir really reveals itself after at least five years of ageing. - Arthur Ostertag
