With a single holding of more than 330 acres at Guebwiller, Domaines Schlumberger is the largest Grands Crus producer in Alsace. All Schlumberger wines are estate-grown. Seventy-five percent of the vines are planted on very steep, terraced slopes, requiring horses be used for fieldwork.

The outstanding quality of the wines is due largely to Schlumberger’s superior vineyards, but also because yields are deliberately kept low. The winery produces only 80,000 cases annually, while the law allows for up to 160,000.

First mentioned in 1250, the Saering plot slips from the hill and extends like a peninsula on the plain, forming a sort of tongue of land in the form of a ring. It has been sold under its own since 1830. To the north of Guebwiller, Saering faces east and south-east at an altitude of ranging from 260 to 300 meters. The Saering marl, limestone, and sandstone terroir brings out the best in this magnificent, fine, delicate Riesling.

The grapes were harvested by hand and the bunches were pressed whole. Static settling of the lees occurred. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled tuns between one and four months. The wine was raised on the lees for eight months.

The robe is bright golden yellow with green reflections of good intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The wine shows youth. The nose is marked, pleasant and intense, with fresh and fruity scents: citrus fruit, lemon zest, lime and white flowers. The airing enhances the previous scents and evolves into something more ripe (blood orange) and exotic (papaya) with a very noble mineral and smoky touch. The complex profile of the terroir needs time to express itself and flourish.

Pairs beautifully with tempura calamari with crispy vegetables, an Asian-flavored salmon fillet, a lobster tail with citrus fruit, as well as a goat’s milk cheese. Serve at the suggested temperature of 54°F.