Domaine Dirler-Cadé - Riesling Kitterlé Grand Cru Élément Terre 2020

With a salty, full-bodied palate and powerful floral aromas, this wine is deeply rooted in its soil; here, too, the terroir takes precedence over the grape variety.

An iconic Bergholtz estate for two generations now. The 18 hectares cultivated using biodynamic methods are the result of the partnership between Jean Dirler and Ludivine Cadé. Within the lineup, the fine terroirs of Saering, Kitterlé, Kessler, and especially Spiegel offer great aging potential, allowing the slight residual sugars to integrate fully.

The Kitterlé Riesling boasts impressive mineral tension, brimming with vitality and a smoky brilliance on the finish: a straightforward, crisp, and deep wine with extraordinary length and intensity of flavor.

Jean Dirler and his wife Ludivine, sensitive and seasoned winemakers, skillfully steer this estate founded in 1871, which has been passed down from father to son for five generations and has been cultivated biodynamically since 1998. Regardless of the grape variety, the precision of the wines, their body, and their ripeness have never been more refined: an impressive range of great dry white wines culminates in the magnificent expressions of the Spiegel, Saering, Kessler, and Kitterlé grands crus—which are an absolute must-try—and which are now named after the four elements (fire, air, earth, water). This estate offers a remarkable welcome, and many wines are available in older vintages. The exceptional quality of the entire range in the most recent vintages has earned it its third star this year.

The complex, vibrant nose of wild herbs and flowers draws you into this extremely compact and precise dry Riesling, which skillfully belies its power and concentration. It is still very young and will reveal even more character after a few years in the bottle, but there is no doubt that this wine is already very well-balanced and structured. An extremely long and full finish. Ready to drink now, but best enjoyed starting in 2025.