Wines

A dry sparkling wine from the northern reaches of the Bas Rhine of Alsace, a blend of equal parts of Chardonnay and Pinot Auxerrois (with a touch of Pinot Noir). The domaine’s small parcels yields limited quantities of this delighful wine, bursting with orchard fruits and mineral intrigue.

Dry and elegant Muscat—Minimal intervention during the vinification results in a pure and delicate style of the varietal (95% Ottonel, 5% Blanc à Petits Grains) that truly reflects the terroir of the steep slopes of the Obere Hund vineyard.

From a stellar site within the confines of Dahlenheim, shows a saline minerality and will age well for 10 years or more in a classic vintage.  “Sussenberg” translates to “Sugar Hill”, and while this wine carries discernable residual sugar, it does not present itself as sweet due to the racy acidity underlying the fruit.

“Nef des Folles” translates to “the nave of the mad”—a nave being the central area of a church which houses the congregation. Jean-Marie may well consider himself slightly mad, in his gently self-deprecating way, for such unorthodox experimentation, but this wine makes a wholly compelling plea for his sanity. From the Sussenberg vineyard macerated for twelve days on its skins and aged in a single old foudre, this Riesling is ample yet mineral on the palate, with notes of flint, lemon verbena and toasted almond. It is both palate-coating and vivacious, and its total lack of added sulfur manifests in a palate of great purity and directness.

Jean-Marie owns a significant portion of the 15-hectare limestone-and-marl grand cru of Engelberg, source of this profoundly chiseled Riesling (as well as Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer). It is brash on the nose, a bold gesture of mineral brinksmanship that dares one to flinch. In addition to this calcareous firepower, the nose offers crisp white cherries and a vivid green streak that evokes chlorophyll rather than underripeness. The palate is palpably dense, with cold-water-to-the-face acidity and a powerful impression of dry extract on the unrelenting finish. This wine most often carries almost no residual sugar and while a complex wine in youth, it is destined for cellaring, to marry its fruit and minerality together and reach full potential.

From a lieu-dit, gravelly limestone in texture and composition,located just below the “Engelberg” vineyard, on the steep slopes surrounding the village of Dahlenheim.  It offers bountiful fruit both on the nose and palate accented softly with notes of spice.

“Nef des Folles” translates to “the nave of the mad”—a nave being the central area of a church which houses the congregation. Jean-Marie may well consider himself slightly mad, in his gently self-deprecating way, for such unorthodox experimentation, but this wine makes a wholly compelling plea for his sanity. Comprising Pinot Gris from the Obere Hund vineyard macerated for twelve days on its skins and aged in a single old foudre, this Pinot Gris is vivid and luscious, with notes of honeycomb, ripe apricot, and chamomile. It is both palate-coating and gentle, exuding a sense of calm in its equipoise, and its total lack of added sulfur manifests in a palate of great purity and directness. Only 100 cases are imported.

Fermented and aged on the lees in 3-4 year old barrique with no batonage—Bechtold feels that barrel fermentation is more expressive of the terroir. Scintillating and elegant; a fine version of the Pinot Gris with gentle acidity.

It is one thing to play with varietals from a lesser site; to convert a portion of grand cru fruit in such a manner requires a more substantial level of commitment. With three weeks of skin contact, the “Comme un Rouge” (“like a red”) shows up Pinot Gris for the dark-skinned “white” grape it is so often produced and marketed as. Looking more like a dark rosé in the glass, this possesses an elemental sense of limestone, with notes of dates, macerated cherries, and exotic botanicals, as well as a clinging and driving finish of stunning purity. Jean-Marie aged this for one year in used Burgundy barrels purchased from his old classmate and friend Régis Forey, and added no sulfur at all during the élévage. Only 30 cases imported.

This offers compelling focus and clarity with a  lightness to the body that pleases the palate and is not often found with this forceful variety.  The typical exotic fruit notes associated with Gewurztraminer are present but the striking structure provides a discipline that steals the show.

This shows textbook varietal character, with notes of sweetness and spice on a pedestal of vibrant structure.  The intense bouquet is married to the exuberance on the palate.  Powerful and seductive, this wine is a fine example of the greatness of Alsace and this fine lieu-dit.

A wine aged in large oak barrels after fermentation and carries all the joy of this noble grape in a northern location.  The wine offers dry cherries and herbs on the nose, clarity and a purity of fruit on the palate, and a lasting savory impression in the finish.