François Schmitt - Riesling Bollenberg 2024

Three stars and a “ Favorite ” rating for a 2024 vintage? Were the grapes protected by the Bollenberg’s sunny microclimate? No, the hill received its share of rain, forcing the owner to wait for breaks in the weather to treat the vines (using organic methods) against downy mildew and to carefully sort the berries, first on the vine and then on the sorting table. As a result, this wine has won over the tasters. Our tasters praise its golden-yellow color, its intense aromas of white flowers, citrus, and yellow fruits with exotic undertones, and its palate—which mirrors the nose—consistent and long-lasting, with a lively attack and a finish tinged with lovely bitter notes. (Residual sugar: 2.5 g/L.)

A descendant of a long line of farmers settled in the southern part of the vineyard, François Schmitt took over the family farm—which included 3 hectares of vineyards—in 1972. He purchased well-located plots (Pfingstberg, Bollenberg, and later Zinnkoepflé) and began producing wine. His son Frédéric, who took over in 1998, now cultivates 13.5 hectares. In 2005, he began the estate’s transition to organic farming, and it has been certified biodynamic since 2019.