Marcel Deiss - Rotenberg - La Colline Rouge 2019

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

While Jean-Michel Deiss spends a great deal of time in his vineyards, it is his son Mathieu who oversees the winemaking process. A charming winemaker, his sensitivity is evident in the evolution of the wines, particularly the Pinot Noirs, which become more delicate and refined with each vintage. For the whites, experiments with maceration lend depth and richness to the textures on the palate. As a winemaker-entrepreneur, Mathieu has expanded the vineyard from 27 to 45 hectares, including his Vignoble du Rêveur project, which he runs with his partner Emmanuelle Milan. Since 2020, two hectares have been dedicated to the production of grapevines, and the estate has acquired its own planting machine, strengthening its autonomy and mastery of all aspects of the winemaking craft.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Grown on rocky Jurassic limestone soils in a slightly north-facing vineyard above the Altenberg, the Rotenberg “The Red Hill” 2019, a golden-yellow wine, offers a pure yet intense and concentrated bouquet of perfectly ripe and elegant fruit (or chutney), interwoven with the purity of iodine and flint and crushed oolitic limestone. The lush, refined, and very elegant palate is a silky, smooth, and elegant Engelgarten, remarkably energetic and briny, with fine tannins structuring the round, smooth texture and perfectly ripe fruit. It is a magnificent Rotenberg, but the best is yet to come. Natural cork. Tasted at the estate in May 2022.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Subtle, with delicate notes of wisteria and grapefruit on the nose, the Rotenberg is drier than usual, with impressive body.

About the estate:

Mathieu Deiss has taken over from his father, Jean-Michel, at the helm of this venerable estate in Bergheim. Mixed planting remains the guiding principle, even for the grand cru wines. Although the practice is a time-honored tradition in the region, it is rarely followed today and remains a source of strong division among winemakers. The Deiss family continues to push the boundaries of this approach, producing compelling, complex wines with marvelous intensity of flavor and incredible balance. Mathieu has also created the Vignoble du Rêveur from his mother’s vineyards in Bennwihr (where he produces, notably, top-tier orange wines). The wines are exceptional for the region, which can be a bit confusing for the consumer, but the result is magnificent. A few years of hindsight allow us to analyze the precision of the terroir definitions and these wines’ ability to maintain their own balance. Don’t miss the estate’s unique geo-sensory tasting experience, which helps you understand the relationship between the wine’s characteristics and the terroir where it was born.

Vinous

James Suckling

About the wine:

This wine, from an unclassified vineyard, is more expansive and complex than many grand crus! Complex aromas of very ripe apricot, papaya, brioche, and toast, with excellent structure and bright acidity underlying its richness. The finish is long and very full-bodied. A blend of Riesling and Pinot Gris. Made from organically grown grapes certified by Ecocert. Drink now or celller.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The bouquet of the 2019 Rotenberg reveals notes of roasted pineapple, toasted almonds, and caramel, followed by hints of chamomile and lemongrass. The attack heralds a full-bodied and indulgent character. The wine achieves harmony through its smoothness, tannins, and acidity. The sweetness is well-balanced, and ultimately it is the freshness that defines the wine. A salty, savory finish, perfectly supported by subtle bitter notes. 2024–2042