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. An engaging winemaker, his sensibility 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 body and depth to the textures on the palate. As both a winemaker and an 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 winemaking.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Grown on rocky Jurassic limestone soils in a slightly north-facing cru above the Altenberg, the Rotenberg “The Red Hill”—a golden-yellow 2019 vintage—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—whose fine tannins structure the round, smooth texture and perfectly ripe fruit. This 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 succeeded his father, Jean-Michel, as head of this venerable estate in Bergheim. Mixed planting remains the guiding principle, even for the grands crus. Although this method is a time-honored tradition in the region, it is still rarely practiced and remains a major point of contention 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, among other things, top-tier orange wines). The wines are exceptional for the region, which can be a bit disorienting for consumers, but the result is magnificent. With a few years of hindsight, one can 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 a wine’s characteristics and the terroir from which it was born.

Vinous

James Suckling

About the wine:

This wine from an unclassified vineyard is more expansive and complex than many grands crus! Complex aromas of very ripe apricot, papaya, brioche, and toast, with excellent structure and brilliant acidity underlying its richness. The finish is long and very well-rounded. A blend of Riesling and Pinot Gris. Made from organically grown grapes certified by Ecocert. Ready to drink now or for aging.

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 wine’s freshness that stands out. A briny, savory finish is perfectly supported by subtle bitter notes. 2024–2042