Albert Boxler - Alsace Grand Cru Riesling Brand 2022

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Since joining the family estate nearly 20 vintages ago, Jean Boxler has gradually refined his winemaking techniques to the point where he now produces wines on par with the elite of Alsace. The vineyards are splendidly situated, first on the Sommerberg, where Jean owns a significant number of plots, and then on the Brand—two terroirs that excel with Riesling, the estate’s flagship grape variety. The viticulture is demanding and meticulous, with aging methods tailored to the wines and vintages; here, there is not a single misstep, regardless of the grape variety, even the more modest Sylvaner or Pinot Blanc (though the latter comes from the Brand). The 2016 vintage is a superb success, with wines slightly less dense than the 2015 but which will age to perfection. The 2017 vintage allowed the Sylvaners, Pinot Blancs, Muscats, and of course the Rieslings to stand out within the range. The selection is vast, even if few wines are available at the estate.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2022 Riesling Grand Cru Brand is very clear and elegantly aromatic on the nose. On the palate, it is lush yet immediately firm and finely tannic; this is an intense and concentrated Riesling, firm and taut, with a long, stimulating finish. A true classic. 13% alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the winery in April 2024.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Citrus and fresh mint in the Brand, a wine with a unique vibrancy, whose sharp structure gives it a character that is still reserved yet remarkably refined.

About the estate:

Perched on the heights of Niedermorschwihr, Jean Boxler has cemented his reputation as a highly demanding producer with his latest vintages. He brings out the full nobility of the Sommerberg Grand Cru, a granite cirque whose steep slopes make cultivation particularly difficult. The estate owns 4 hectares there, as well as 1.9 hectares in the Brand Grand Cru. Various cuvées from several plots are available; all have now reached an exceptional level, and exploring their nuances proves to be a fascinating experience!

Wine Spectator

Wine Enthusiast

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2022 Riesling Brand Grand Cru comes from the eastern section of the Brand vineyard, which was planted in 1947. On the nose, mirabelle plums and citrus are enveloped in a hint of smoke. The palate is exquisitely crisp, rising like a soprano’s voice—unhindered and clear. The magnificent zest of pale lemon coats the palate, along with the texture and even more of that mouth-watering quality. It is a breathtaking wine, resulting from an eastern exposure and a deeper subsoil. There is no water stress. In the past, this plot was difficult to ripen; today, it displays a luminous purity. (Bone dry)