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 14 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.

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.

The colour is golden yellow with clear reflections of good intensity. The disc is shiny, limpid and transparent. The wine presents youth. The nose is frank, pleasant and intense. We perceive a dominant of candied aromas, yellow fruits, quince, Mirabelle plum and honey. Aeration amplifies these odours and reveals sweet almond, orgeat, button mushroom, orange blossom, butter, pastries, and an underlying smoky register. The perfect maturity of the grapes reflects a distinguished, complex profile, representative of the high level of quality of the terroir. The attack on the palate is dense, mellow, the alcohol support is balanced. We evolve on an incisive medium, marked by pearling. We find the range of aromas of the nose, always focused on yellow fruits, golden apple, quince, Mirabelle plum, orange blossom, butter, pastries, barley, sweet almond, mushroom de Paris, honey and a fine smoky touch. We feel a hint of bitterness. The finish presents a good length, 8-9 caudalies, as well as a strict vivacity and a persistent bitterness. The tasty balance is complete. The initial mellowness is perfectly counterbalanced by the beautiful verticality of the structure where the bitters are splendid. The range of aromas, meanwhile, sublimates the whole.

To be served with roast veal with quince and rosemary, pan-fried goose liver cutlets with Mirabelle plums, pork glazed with honey, garlic and ginger or a soft cheese with a washed rind, such as the priest from Nantes... Serving temperature: 12°C.