Valentin Zusslin - Les Kammerlas 2017

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2017 Kammerlas comes from the family’s oldest vineyard, which was planted in 1938–39 in the heart of what would become the Pfingstberg Grand Cru a few decades later. As in the past, the blend of Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscat Ottonel, and Sylvaner was harvested and vinified together in stainless steel tanks, rather than in large oak casks, which is the estate’s traditional vessel. Only 700 bottles were produced from this remarkably elegant and refreshing yet substantial and concentrated terroir wine, whose maturity, power, and concentration reflect the warm, early vintage, while the minerality and tension stem from the limestone-sandstone soils of the Bollenberg. Very long and concentrated, this is still a very young wine that will benefit from bottle aging.

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

About the wine:

Riesling, Sylvaner, Muscat, and Gewürztraminer grown in a vineyard planted in 1938: notes of star anise and candied lemon on the nose; on the palate, this wine is savory, full-bodied, and deep, impressing with its concentration while remaining light and elegant.

About the estate:

The work of Jean-Paul and Marie Zusslin, who carry on the family winemaking tradition dating back to 1691, has been exemplary for several years now. Based in Orschwihr, on a beautiful vineyard, they form a passionate, charismatic duo dedicated to a job well done. And they’re taking on more and more projects: designing a new bottle, installing dozens of beehives and birdhouses across their vineyards...Each has their role: Marie handles marketing, while Jean-Paul works in the vineyards and the cellar. Biodynamic viticulture since 1997, meticulous winemaking, and precise aging summarize the work of this leading estate, where a plot-by-plot approach is omnipresent, even in the crémants. The excellence of the range suggests a rise in our rankings!

James Suckling

About the wine:

A highly complex dry white that defies conventional categorization; it’s very aromatic on the nose, reminiscent of Gewürztraminer, but on the palate it’s so firm and fresh—which is completely different from Gewürztraminer. Plenty of candied orange, but also dried herbs and angelica. I love the very dry, mineral finish, which is full of energy. Made from vines in the heart of the Pfingstberg Grand Cru. Drink now.