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 and now produces wines on par with the elite of Alsace. The vineyards are superbly situated—first on the Sommerberg, where Jean owns a significant number of plots, and then on the Brand—two terroirs that truly shine with Riesling, the estate’s flagship grape variety. The viticulture is meticulous and demanding, with aging methods tailored to the wines and vintages; here, there are no missteps, regardless of the grape variety—not even with the more modest Sylvaner or Pinot Blanc (though the latter comes from the Brand). The 2016 vintage is a superb success, with wines that are slightly less dense than the 2015s but 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 though few wines are available directly from 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 and 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 defines a wine that is still reserved but particularly refined.

About the estate:

Jean Boxler, perched on the heights of Niedermorschwihr, 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 smokiness. 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 mouthwatering quality. It is a breathtaking wine, born of an eastern exposure and deeper subsoil. There is no water stress. In the past, this plot was difficult to bring to ripeness; today, it displays a luminous purity. (Bone-dry)