Mélanie Pfister : Pinot Gris "Silb" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for the 2023 Pinot Gris "Silb" by Mélanie Pfister

Tasting

Colour
This wine reveals a beautiful white hue, a reflection of its great purity.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals fine complexity, opening with scents of green apple, peach and ripe pear, enhanced by hints of citrus. Subtle nuances of honey, beeswax, apricot and gingerbread, accompanied by a delicate smoky note, add further depth to this olfactory palette.

Palate
On the palate, this wine stands out for its crystalline elegance and strong mineral identity. It offers a beautifully full-bodied texture, perfectly balanced by a lively, particularly juicy acidity that lends a pleasant sense of freshness. Flavours of lemon and cherry unfold with precision, leading to a long, taut and slightly smoky finish.

Food and wine pairing

This cuvée pairs wonderfully with seafood, such as oysters, ceviche, salmon or shellfish like crab and langoustines. It also perfectly accompanies briny or oily fish, light poultry dishes with a herb or lemon sauce, as well as goat cheese and aged cheeses.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the Pinot Gris "Silb" 2023, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 7 and 12 degrees Celsius, in a classic white wine glass. Decanting is not necessary. With its fine structure, this wine can be enjoyed now or cellared until around 2028.

Other characteristics

Unlike some regional traditions, this cuvée is crafted as a perfectly dry wine, showcasing the tension and minerality of its terroir without any sweetness.

The mineral elegance of an Alsace white wine by Domaine Pfister

The estate

Located in Dahlenheim, Alsace, Domaine Pfister was officially founded in 1780, although the winemaking history of these lands dates back to the year 884. Today, Mélanie Pfister represents the eighth generation and is the first woman to lead the estate, having taken the helm in 2008. An agricultural engineer and oenologist, she has brought fresh momentum by focusing on the production of dry wines. Certified organic since 2021 and moving towards biodynamics, the estate stands out for its environmentally respectful approach and minimal-intervention winemaking.

The vineyard

This wine comes from the Silberberg lieu-dit, meaning "silver mountain," a unique terroir located in Alsace. The vines, planted in the early 2000s, span three tiny plots totalling around 0.75 hectares atop a plateau. This area benefits from strong wind exposure, which limits the vines' vigour and concentrates the aromas of the grapes. The shallow soil is composed of limestone resting on a dense bedrock, giving the berries remarkable finesse and minerality.

Winemaking and aging

The 2023 Pinot Gris "Silb" undergoes a specific production process. Fermentation and aging take place in used 228- and 300-litre barrels for fifteen months. The use of these older vessels allows the wine to be gently structured without masking its identity with woody aromas. The wine is then transferred to stainless steel tanks to rest for a period of three to nine months before bottling.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Gris