Albert Boxler : Riesling Grand cru Sommerberg 2023

Characteristics and tasting advice for Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg 2023 Albert Boxler

Tasting

Color

The wine shows a pale yellow hue with bright highlights.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet is intense and complex, revealing mineral notes typical of the granite terroir. Fragrances of white flowers, fresh citrus and bergamot emerge, accompanied by subtle smoky touches.

Palate

On the palate, this Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg 2023 shows lovely delicacy despite its warm vintage. The balance is remarkable, with softer-than-usual acidity offset by a harmonious structure. The finish lingers with mineral and lemony notes.

Food and wine pairings

This Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg 2023 is an ideal match for fatty fish such as salmon or trout, as well as shellfish. It also pairs well with poultry in a light sauce or cooked pressed cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg 2023 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. Its aging potential will allow it to evolve beautifully in the cellar for several years.

An Alsatian Grand Cru Riesling of crystalline purity from a granite terroir

The estate

Founded in 1946 by Albert Boxler in Niedermorschwihr in Alsace, Domaine Albert Boxler now farms 19 hectares of vines, half of which are classified as grands crus. Jean Boxler, the founder’s grandson and the twelfth generation, carries on the family’s excellence on the granite terroirs of Grand Cru Sommerberg and Brand. The steep hillsides require entirely manual work and carefully controlled yields. The estate stands out for its Rieslings of crystalline purity, vinified parcel by parcel in Alsatian foudres.

The vineyard

Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg 2023 comes from 50-year-old vines situated mid-slope, at around 325 meters above sea level. The extremely stony granite terroir and due-south exposure on very steep slopes give the wine its hallmark minerality. Farmed organically, the vineyard is worked mainly by hand with winching and manual hoeing, as mechanization is almost impossible on these abrupt inclines. Yields are limited to 30 hl/ha, ensuring concentration and quality.

The vintage

The 2023 vintage in Alsace was marked by extremely dry, hot conditions throughout the year. This particular weather gave rise to delicate wines, with lower-than-usual acidity yet still well-balanced. Harvest took place on September 22, allowing the grapes to reach optimal ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg 2023 is vinified using traditional methods that respect the fruit. After whole-bunch pressing, the must undergoes static settling without temperature control. Alcoholic fermentation occurs naturally in foudres over two to six months. Aging then continues on full lees for 11 months, allowing the wine to develop aromatic complexity and texture while preserving the mineral purity of the granite terroir.

Grape variety

100% Riesling