Julien Schaal - Alsace Schiste Grand Cru Kastelberg 2023
97-98/100
Yves Beck
17,5/20
Jancis Robinson
94/100
James Suckling
“A truly great wine in the making (Yves Beck)”
“The bouquet reveals subtle fruity notes with hints of apricot, vine peach, 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, cautious approach. It can rely on the incisive, structuring character of its acidity, but it has little desire to rush. Why should it, anyway? It is built to last for 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.” (Yves Beck 2024)
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Eye
Pale gold color with green highlights
Nose
Elegant and masculine, with a delicate, understated bouquet featuring citrus and mineral notes, along with 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 old
Food and wine pairings
Oysters, mussels, crab, shrimp, Asian dishes, fish with crushed tomatoes and peppermint, salads with citrus fruits...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated 2 stars (A solid, recommendable wine, though slightly more consistent and uniform than the previous one)
About the estate:
Alongside his 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 list, representing just about every type of soil in the region, and the selection consists solely of Riesling, with the exception of a Gewürztraminer from Osterberg and a blend from 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 is enhanced by notes of grapefruit, a hint of white peach, and plenty of mineral character. A real delight!
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 now or 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 unwavering understanding. It is also a story of character and confrontation. The two must come to an agreement, and while this isn’t always easy, the pursuit of excellence generally overcomes any obstacles. The bouquet reveals subtle fruity notes with hints of apricots, vine peaches, peppermint, and lemongrass. The classic flinty notes are also present, like a foundation, serving to anchor the aroma profile. On the palate, the wine takes a gradual, cautious approach. It can rely on the incisive, structuring character of its acidity, but it has little desire to rush. Why should it, anyway? It is built to last for 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
Customer rating
3.8/5
based on 15 reviews
Review by Mr. JACQUES R. Published on 12/29/2024
A lovely Riesling, perfect with oysters and able to hold its own against a well-aged Sainte-Maure
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Review by Mr. CHRISTIAN M. Posted on 10/30/2025
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Review by Mr. THIERRY E. Published on September 17, 2025
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Review by Mr. VINCENT B. Published on September 11, 2025
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Review by Mr. FREDERIC R. Published on 08/29/2025
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Review by Mr. MARC M. Posted on 08/19/2025
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Review by Mr. DISSOUBRAY V. Published on July 26, 2025
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Review by Mr. EMMANUEL E. Published on 07/22/2025
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Review by Mr. FABRICE & MATHIS P. Published on July 2, 2025
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Review by Mr. JEAN A. Posted on 06/19/2025
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