Valentin Zusslin - Les Kammerlas 2017

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

The 2017 Kammerlas comes from the oldest family plot, 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 vats, rather than in casks, which are the estate's traditional containers. Only 700 bottles were produced from this remarkably elegant and refreshing yet substantial and concentrated terroir wine, whose maturity, power, and concentration represent the hot and early vintage, while the minerality and tension come from the limestone sandstone soils of 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 wine:

Riesling, Sylvaner, Muscat, and Gewurztraminer planted together in a vineyard established in 1938: aromas of star anise and candied lemon, sapid on the palate, very full-bodied and deep, this wine impresses with its concentration while remaining light and elegant.

About the estate:

The work of Jean-Paul and Marie Zusslin, who are continuing the family winemaking tradition that began in 1691, has been exemplary for several years now. Based in Orschwihr, on a beautiful vineyard, they form a passionate, charismatic duo who are committed to a job well done. And they have many projects in the pipeline: designing a new bottle, installing dozens of beehives and nesting boxes in the vineyards...Each has their role: Marie handles marketing, Jean-Paul works in the vineyards and the cellar. Biodynamic viticulture since 1997, careful vinification, and precise aging sum up the work of this benchmark estate, where the spirit of the vineyard is omnipresent, even in the crémants. The excellence of the range may well lead to a rise in our rankings!

James Suckling

About wine:

A very complex dry white wine that does not fit into any conventional category, it is very fragrant on the nose, reminiscent of Gewürztraminer, but on the palate it is so firm and fresh, which is totally different from Gewürztraminer. Tons of candied orange, but also dried herbs and angelica. I love the very dry, mineral finish, which has a lot of energy. Made from vines in the heart of the Pfingstberg Grand Cru. Drink now.