Julien Schaal - Alsace Schiste Grand Cru Kastelberg 2023

Alongside a wine-trading venture in South Africa, Julien Schaal founded his Alsatian business in 2011—a highly original endeavor, as it is exclusively a wine-trading business based on the purchase of grapes from grand cru vineyards. Currently, nine grand cru wines are on the menu, representing just about every type of soil in the region, and the selection consists solely of Riesling—with the exception of a Gewürztraminer from the Osterberg and a blend from the Altenberg de Bergheim. In a blind tasting, his 2017 vintages blew us away. Hats off!

A crisp nose with a certain richness, even though the wine finishes dry. It is enhanced by notes of grapefruit, a hint of white peach, and plenty of mineral character. A real pleasure!

This mineral and briny Riesling offers aromas and flavors of dried pineapple, lemon zest, slate, and thyme. It is medium-bodied to full-bodied with notes of flint and stone, developing a slight smoky character on the finish. Long and dry. Ready to drink now or for aging.

Riesling and schist have a long history of love, harmony, camaraderie, and unshakable understanding. It is also a story of character and confrontation. The two must find common ground, and while that isn’t always easy, the pursuit of excellence generally overcomes any obstacles. The bouquet reveals subtle fruity notes with hints of apricots, vineyard peaches, peppermint, and lemongrass. The classic flinty notes are also present, serving as a foundation to provide a solid olfactory backbone. On the palate, the wine unfolds gradually and cautiously. It can rely on the incisive, structuring character of its acidity, but it has little desire to rush. And why should it? It’s built to last for several decades. Bitterness also plays a key role in shaping this wine. It provides a solid foundation on the palate by imparting vigor and enhancing the aromatic expression, both in terms of intensity and persistence. The wine knows exactly where it wants to go, but it doesn’t yet know how! With all the necessary elements in place to get there, it logically opts for patience and time. A truly great wine in the making. 2030–2060