Pierre Sparr

Alsace, France

Riesling, AOC Alsace – 2011

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  • Vineyard Profile

    • Location: Vosges hillsides and Rhine valley
    • Viticulture: No irrigation; trellised vines; hand-harvesting
    • Size: 20 hectares (49.4 acres)
    • Vine Age: 5-15 years
    • Soil: Granite, limestone, gneiss, chalky-clay
    • Elevation: 200-400 meters (656-1,312 feet)
    • Exposure: Primarily eastern and southern
    • Density: 4,000 vines/hectare (1,620 vines/acre)
  • 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. 2011 was an early harvest in Alsace, with summer weather continuing for the entire month. The last three years were spared from botrytis because of hot, dry weather conditions during the harvest.

    • Harvest Date(s): September 25-October 10; it was an early harvest in 2011, with summer weather continuing through the entire harvest
    • Yields: 60 hectoliters per hectare (4.4 tons per acre)
  • Vinification

    • Fermentation: Traditional, no skin contact, temperature controlled, no malolactic
    • Aging: Stainless-steel tanks, 6 months on the lees
    • Filtration: Microfiltration
  • Technical Information

    • Varietal Composition: 100% Riesling
    • Cases Imported: 1,600
    • Imported Case Pack: 12/750ml
    • Alcohol: 12.5%
    • RS: 4.3g/L
    • Optimum Drinking: 2012-2016
  • Tasting Notes

    • In the glass, gleaming pale yellow with green reflections, the 2011 Riesling opens with aromas of lemon peel and green apple, followed by a touch of light yellow banana and delicate green granadilla (passion fruit). Upon aeration, notes of sweet cherry blossoms are framed by minerally firestone scents. On the palate, it is smooth, with soft acid, a well-balanced light body and softly spicy finish.

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  • Riesling, AOC Alsace – 2011

    The 2011 Riesling opens with aromas of lemon peel, green apple and a touch of delicate passion fruit. Upon aeration, notes of sweet cherry blossoms are framed by minerally scents. On the palate, it is smooth, with soft acid and a softly spicy finish.

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