Domaine Bott Geyl : Riesling Grand cru "Sporen" Très Vieilles Vignes 2017

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Riesling Grand cru "Sporen" Très Vieilles Vignes 2017 from Domaine Bott Geyl

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance unveils a pale yellow shade with green highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals great aromatic complexity. Notes of camphor express themselves first, followed by aromas of candied citrus, mandarin and white stone fruits such as peach and apricot. Floral fragrances of white flowers and jasmine accompany the ensemble. Minerality manifests through touches of flint and saline notes, the signature of the Sporen terroir.

Palate

The attack on the palate is fine and delicate. The palate reveals itself to be full and deep, supported by a beautiful acidity that brings liveliness and freshness. Intense aromas of yellow fruits, peaches and apricots mingle with spicy notes. The creamy texture, characteristic of the 2017 vintage, envelops the palate with elegance. The finish, intensely mouth-watering and persistent, bears witness to the wine's remarkable balance and concentration.

Food and wine pairings

This Riesling Grand cru "Sporen" Très Vieilles Vignes 2017 pairs perfectly with fatty fish and seafood, particularly spicy oysters. It also pairs excellently with creamy pork dishes, duck confit and poultry in sauce. Blue cheeses like Roquefort or washed-rind cheeses like Munster are choice pairings. Spicy Asian dishes, curries and sweet and sour preparations find an ideal partner in this wine. Vegetables such as asparagus and mushrooms also harmonize very well with this Riesling.

Service and storage

The Riesling Grand cru "Sporen" Très Vieilles Vignes 2017 is ideally served at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. Prior decanting is recommended to allow the wine to open up fully. This wine possesses an exceptional aging potential of at least twenty years. The optimal tasting window is between approximately 2032 and 2037.

An Alsace Riesling from very old vines with exceptional aging potential

The estate

The Domaine Bott Geyl traces its origins to 1795 with the planting of the first vines by Jean-Martin Geyl in Beblenheim. The union of the Bott and Geyl families in the 1950s marked the official creation of the estate. Since 1993, Jean-Christophe Bott has managed the estate with a philosophy resolutely turned towards biodynamic agriculture, certified since 2002. The estate today spans approximately 15 hectares spread over six Alsace Grand Crus, including the prestigious Schlossberg. Recognized as one of the best producers in Beblenheim, Domaine Bott Geyl has been awarded two stars in the Guide de La Revue du Vin de France, confirming its excellence.

The vineyard

The Grand Cru Sporen extends over twenty-three hectares between the communes of Riquewihr and Bennwihr in Alsace, at an altitude between 265 and 310 meters. This terroir presents an atypical exposure facing east, or even north for the higher parts, compensated by gentle slopes allowing regular sunshine throughout the day. The deep soils, rich in clay and marl, are distinguished by their high phosphoric acid content, conferring a characteristic acidity and remarkable liveliness to the wines. The Domaine Bott Geyl vines on this terroir are over eighty years old, with some even reaching one hundred years. This plot joined the estate in 2012.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Riesling Grand cru "Sporen" Très Vieilles Vignes 2017 are harvested manually and transported in small Champagne crates. After a gentle pneumatic pressing of six to eighteen hours, the must decants for three to four days. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, without the addition of enzymes or sugar, and lasts for three to six months. After racking between four and eight months, the wine is aged on fine lees. Bottling takes place in September, about a year after the harvest, followed by aging in the cellar before release.

Grape variety

100% Riesling