21468 customer reviews

Julien Schaal - Alsace Schiste Grand Cru Kastelberg 2023

Name: Julien Schaal - Alsace Schiste Grand Cru Kastelberg 2023
Brand: Julien and Sophie Schaal
Rating: 3.8 (15 reviews)

Alsace Grand Cru Kastelberg|White wine

3.8/5 (15 customers)

97-98/100

Yves Beck

17,5/20

Jancis Robinson

94/100

James Suckling

Riesling

mineral

freshness

grand cru

"A truly great wine in the making (Yves Beck)"

“The bouquet reveals subtle fruity notes with hints of apricots, vine 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 takes a gradual, measured approach. 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! Since all the necessary elements are in place to get there, it logically opts for patience and time.” (Yves Beck 2024)

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21468 reviews

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Starting at €99 on your first order

Estate

Julien et Sophie Schaal

Vintage

Schiste Grand Cru Kastelberg

Vintage

2023

Designation

Alsace Grand Cru Kastelberg

Region

Alsace

Grape Varieties

100% Riesling

Regions

Blue schist, very stony and well-drained soil, 50-year-old vines

Viticulture

Wine made from grapes or juice purchased from partner producers

Grape Harvest

Manuals

Wine Production

Extended pressing for 8 hours, low-temperature settling, alcoholic fermentation using native yeasts

Livestock Farming

Aged in stainless steel tanks for 4 months

Eye

Pale gold color with green highlights

Nose

Elegant, masculine, with a delicate and subtle bouquet—citrusy and mineral—featuring aromas of jasmine and acacia, lemon, peach, green apple, flint, and damp chalk

Palate

Mineral and fresh, with a dry, lively character, elegant structure, exotic notes, stone fruits, and citrus

Serve

Between 9 et 11°C

Drink before

2050+

Guard

10 to 15 years

Food and Wine Pairings

Oysters, mussels, crabs, shrimp, Asian dishes, fish with crushed tomatoes and peppermint, salads with citrus fruits...

More information at Julien et Sophie Schaal

More information at Alsace

Bettane & Desseauve

Rated 2*Stars (A solid, recommendable production, though a bit more consistent and uniform than the previous one)

About the estate:

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 operation 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!

Jancis Robinson

Wine rated (2024 guide) 17,5/20

Rated Estate (2023 Guide) Recommended

About the wine:

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

James Suckling

Wine rated (2024 guide) 94/100

Rated Estate (2023 Guide) Recommended

About the wine:

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 or suitable for aging.

Yves Beck

Wine rated (2024 guide) 97-98/100

About the wine:

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 takes a gradual, measured approach. It can rely on the incisive and structuring character of its acidity, but it has little desire to rush. Why should it, anyway? 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, 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

Customer Rating

3.8/5

based on 15 reviews

Review and comment by Mr. JACQUES R. Published on 12/29/2024

A very nice Riesling, perfect with oysters and able to hold its own against a fairly aged Sainte-Maure