Pierre Sparr

Alsace, France

Pinot Gris, Mambourg, AOC Alsace Grand Cru – 2016

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  • Introduction

    • Mount Sigolsheim, northwest of Colmar, was the high ground fought for in the battle of the “Colmar Pocket,” January 20 to February 9, 1945. On the summit is the French military necropolis commemorating this historic battle for one of the last regions occupied by German infantry. It took American and French forces three weeks in frigid temperatures to dislodge the German bridgehead. On the south-facing slope of this hill is the celebrated Grand Cru Mambourg. Records show that as early as the year 783, elegant wines of the present-day Mambourg were famous. The vineyard (61.85 hectares / 152.83 acres) enjoys optimum sunshine and scant rainfall. The soil here is lime-magnesium over calcareous and marl conglomerates that formed during the Tertiary period, 65 million to 1.6 million years ago.

  • Vineyard Profile

    • Appellation: AOC Alsace Grand Cru
    • Location: Vosges foothill northeast of village of Sigolsheim; southern exposure
    • Viticulture: No irrigation; trellised vines; hand-harvesting
    • Size: 0.75 hectares (1.85 acres)
    • Vine Age: 25 years
    • Soil: Lime-magnesium over calcareous and marl conglomerates
  • Vintage Report

    • Dates for the beginning of harvest for each AOC are set by decree, generally 100 days after the median date of flowering, at the time when the grapes display the best sugar-to-acid ratio. The 2016 harvest took place under the best possible conditions.

    • Harvest Date(s): Mid-October
    • Yields: 48 hectoliters per hectare (3.5 tons per acre)
  • Vinification

    • Traditional, temperature-controlled fermentation, no malolactic

    • Aging: Stainless-steel tanks, wine on fine lees for 8 to 10 months
  • Technical Information

    • Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Gris
    • Alcohol: 12.5%
    • TA: 4.8 g/L
    • RS: 33.4 g/L
  • Tasting Notes

    • This rich and elegant wine is a golden yellow in appearance, with aromas of quince jam, hazelnuts and flint, which increase with aeration. On the palate, a structured, dynamic body dances with the fine fruit acid; a delicate sweetness — Alsace Grand Cru wines have a higher minimum sugar content than basic Alsace wines — balances the acidity on the long finish.

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Reviews

  • Pierre Sparr Mambourg Grand Cru Pinot Gris – 2016 – Wine Enthusiast – 92 Points

    A hint of Mirabelle plum plays on the nose before becoming fully fledged on the medium-sweet palate. This flows with a stone fruit flavor that is always tempered by lemon freshness. It's smooth, rounded and fruit-driven, with a medium-sweet finish.

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