Domaine Bott-Geyl - Alsace Grand Cru Gewurztraminer Sonnenglantz 2011 (liquoreux)

With its caraway notes—reminiscent of Kummel liqueur—and combined with blood orange, banana, and candied pink grapefruit zest, Bott’s opulent 2011 Gewurztraminer Sonnenglanz is remarkably fragrant and aromatic. However, its sweetness is quite dominant, and I was looking for more juiciness in the bittersweet finish of a wine whose aromas and initial mouthfeel were impressively exuberant. I think it will be worth keeping an eye on until 2020.

The perfectionist Jean-Christophe Bott is one of Alsace’s leading winemakers. He is dedicated to meticulous work both in the cellar and in the vineyard, which is cultivated using biodynamic methods. While it consisted of just 4 hectares when it was founded in 1953, the estate now owns 15 hectares, spread across seven municipalities. The wines here are full-bodied and smooth, with their richness well-balanced and without the slightest hint of heaviness—particularly in the Pinot Gris wines, which are definitely worth rediscovering. Each cuvée possesses both power and a long finish, two qualities that contribute to their fullness. To top it all off, the estate offers slightly aged vintages for sale and has recently begun renting out vacation cottages.