Technical presentation
| Bottling : | August 2015 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 12.1° |
| Residual sugar : | 4.0 g/l |
| pH : | 3.4 |
| Yield : | 35 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2018-2029 |
| Average age of vines : | 31 years |
| Terroir : | Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain |
| Sweetness index : | 1 |
| Soil : | Sedimentary volcanic rocks (Tuffs & Grauwake), South facing, Very steep slope |
Description of the wine Riesling Roche Volcanique 2014
Grauwacke and andesique tuff (compacted volcanic ash) is only present in the Grand Cru Rangen in Alsace. This vineyard was acquired in 1977 by my father Leonard and we were lucky that the established vineyards were properly planted (high density, massal selection…). However, some parts were still abandoned and needed planting. These ‘younger’ vines sometime differ from the older ones and are declassified in this bottling. The character of the vineyard is strong but a slightly higher yield and lower alcohol potential make it a lighter wine, easier to enjoy in its youth.
Tasting notes
09/2016 : Bright yellow colour, almost glowing. The nose shows classic mineral/flinty aromatics. The volcanic rock signature is strong. The wine opens up nicely and gains intensity, showing more rock dust and medicinal plants. The palate is ample, wide, dry and long but keeps a very elegant delicate texture. There is an immediate strong sense of saline mineral touch, almost like biting a stone. The finish combines some nice tannins and acidity, increasing the length. Worth waiting !
The Clos Saint Urbain, Grand Cru Rangen from Thann
The Rangen de Thann is the most southerly of the Alsace vineyards. In his book « Where Alsace wines ripen », Henry Riegert writes: « from the Middle Ages those wines which ripen on the Rangen hillside figure amongst the most famous growths of the whole vineyard region ». The Grand Cru Rangen de Thann, is situated at the exit of the valley, overlooking the village of Thann with the river Thur passing at the foot of the slope.