Dirler-Cadé : Riesling Grand cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Riesling Grand Cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2020 from Dirler-Cadé

Tasting

Nose

The nose is subtle and restrained, unveiling delicate aromas of dried herbs and stone. With aeration, the bouquet evolves towards lemony notes accompanied by nuances of anise, verbena, and lemon balm, creating an aromatic complexity that invites discovery.

Palate

On the palate, this wine seduces with its remarkable precision and density. The attack is charming and enduring, very aromatic, with flavors of lemon and lime. The structure is dry, with no perceptible sweetness despite the residual sugars which blend perfectly into the whole. The finely chiseled acidity supports the wine's mineral character, creating a taut and crisp texture. The finish extends at length on a concert of notes of ripe and tangy citrus zest, combining the breadth of the clays with the vibrant and saline grain of the sandstone.

Food and wine pairings

This Riesling is an ideal accompaniment to scallops with herb cream. Its mineral structure and lively acidity also make it an excellent partner for seafood, oysters, sushi, or salads dressed with vinaigrette. It enhances goat cheeses and pairs perfectly with rich dishes prepared with butter or cream, pork preparations, roasted duck, or glazed ham, where its minerality brings essential balance.

Service and cellaring

The Riesling Grand Cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2020 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2035, developing increased complexity and tertiary aromas over time.

An exceptional Alsatian Riesling, a pure expression of the Grand Cru Kessler

The estate

Founded in 1871 in Bergholtz, Domaine Dirler-Cadé has perpetuated Alsatian winemaking excellence for five generations. The union in 1998 of Jean Dirler and Ludivine Hell-Cadé gave birth in 2000 to the current estate, which today spans 18 hectares, 42% of which are classified as Grand Cru. Pioneers of biodynamics since 1998, Jean and Ludivine Dirler-Cadé manage this property, certified Organic Agriculture and BIODYVIN, with a philosophy respectful of the terroir and people. The estate obtained three stars in the Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France 2025 by La Revue du Vin de France, consecrating the exactitude, density, and maturity of its wines.

The vineyard

The Grand Cru Kessler extends over 28.5 hectares north of Guebwiller, in Alsace, between 300 and 390 meters in altitude. Its name, derived from the German word meaning "cauldron", evokes the heat of this terroir whose heart is called Heisse Wanne, the "hot hollow". The vines rest on a substrate of Bundsandstein Vosges sandstone, conferring a reddish coloration to the sandy-clay soils. At the foot of the slope, a Muschelkalk limestone outcrop covers the sandstone colluvium, creating more clayey and compact soils. This small south-east facing valley naturally protects the vines from north winds and cold air currents from the Guebwiller valley. The estate practices meticulous biodynamic viticulture with horse ploughing four to five times a year, use of biodynamic preparations and herbal teas to strengthen the vine's natural defenses.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage benefited from favorable conditions allowing for complete maturation with exceptional phenolic ripeness, following the difficulties encountered during the 2019 vintage marked by frost and hail.

Winemaking and ageing

The Riesling Grand Cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2020 is crafted according to a minimalist winemaking philosophy. The grapes are pressed slowly as whole bunches to preserve the expression of the fruit and the terroir. Fermentations take place spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts, without commercial inoculation. The wine is then aged on lees for eight to ten months, allowing for subtle aromatic development while preserving freshness thanks to contact with the yeasts. This non-interventionist approach allows the soil and the vintage to express themselves authentically.

Grape variety

Riesling (100%)