Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Grand Cru Spiegel
Alsace, France
Vintage:2017 (Past)
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Reviews
View From the Cellar 90 Points
“1998 was the first vintage that Domaine Schlumberger began producing a Pinot Gris bottling from their holdings in the grand cru of Spiegel. These are not particularly old vines, not having reached their twelfth leaf in 2017, but the wine has plenty of mid-palate depth. The bouquet offers up a fine blend of peach, a hint of pineapple, musky floral tones, a good base of soil and a touch of the varietal’s wheat chaff in the upper register. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and nicely balanced, with a good core, sound framing acids and fine focus and bounce on the long, gently sweet finish. This comes in 13.7 percent octane and carries just over thirteen grams per liter of residual sugar, giving the wine a good sense of balance. As it does not have racy acidity, I would plan to drink it up over the next three to five years, during which time it will be very tasty.”
Wine Spectator 90 Points
“An elegant Pinot Gris, light- to medium-bodied and creamy, with subtle flavors of ripe melon and pear fruit joined by fragrant almond blossom and smoke notes. Drink now through 2025.”
JamesSuckling.com 92 Points
“Unique aromas of juniper and dried lavender to the minerals. Full-bodied, creamy and soft. Very flavorful. From biodynamically grown grapes.”
Overview
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.
Spiegel is the fourth Grand Cru produced from the Schlumberger vineyards. It lies on sandy-clay and faces east. It stretches out halfway up the slope between Guebwiller and Bergholtz at an altitude of 260 to 315 meters. It is also the smallest in production with only 12 acres. It is primarily comprised of pinot gris, with vines that are 12 years old on average. 1998 was the first vintage made of this wine.
Winemaking
The grapes are picked by hand and whole bunches are pressed. There is static settling of the lees. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled tuns, followed by raising on the lees for eight months.
Tasting Notes
The robe is bright golden yellow with light reflections of medium intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The nose is marked, pleasant and intense. Distinguished, we perceive a dominant of candied scents of yellow fruits (peach skin, quince, Mirabelle plum) and fresh mushroom. The airing enhances these scents and reveals sweet almond, orgeat, golden apple and a slight hint of smokiness. The nose reflects the perfect state of health of the grapes. It is noble and precise. The onset in the mouth is slender, lively and rich. The alcoholic base is fullbodied. The wine evolves on a medium with a frank vivacity, marked by a sparkling note. We find the same aromas as on the nose, still dominated by yellow fruits (golden apple, Mirabelle plum, quince), sweet almond, orgeat, fresh mushroom and a hint of smokiness. We perceive a firm hint of bitterness. The balance is digestible and tight. Full-bodied, the range of distinguished flavors requires a fine cuisine.
Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with a bacon and Roquefort cheese quiche, a pan-fried duck foie gras, or a soft rind-washed cheese. Suggested serving temperature is 54°F.
Technical Information
Varietals: 100% Pinot Gris
Wine Alcohol: 13.76%
Titratable Acidity: 3.6 g/L
Residual Sugar: 13.3 g/L