Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg Albert Mann 2017/18

Riesling Grand Cru Sclossberg, aromatic, complex, serious Riesling. This Grand Cru Riesling from the Organic Albert Mann estate in Alsace has a gloriously refreshing, mouthwatering palate with inviting aromas of fennel, grapefruit, honeydew melon and an underlying sea breeze minerality. It has a great aromatic complexity, dominance of fruits, with length and freshness. This is serious Riesling and for those hooked on petroleum, it will age very well indeed.

This well regarded Alsace domaine is run by two brothers, Maurice and Jacky Barthelmé in the village of Wettolsheim, near Colmar. Maurice, who took over here in 1984, is married to the daughter of the late Albert Mann who gave his name to the domaine. It’s not a huge operation: they have 22 hectares in all, but five of these are in five different Grand Cru vineyards and a further two are in lieux-dits. The brothers each have their responsibilities, one in vineyard and one in cellar. Viticulture is organic and they have a minimal intervention approach in the cellar. That said, they are not averse to employing state of the art technology in the gleaming stainless cellar to make life a little easier! Can't say I blame them! These organic wines are clean as a whistle and very pure without a note of funkiness with direct fruit forward aromas and texture.