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2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler
Alsace’s grands crus Pinot Gris, when vinified dry by a great vigneron, are among the few wines that can fill in for fine white Burgundy at table. Indeed, the two share some commonalities: a nose as deep and nuanced as any white wine, layers of flavor expressed with subtlety and finesse, and the ability to improve in bottle over many years. The steep granite slope known as Brand is the perfect home for the grape, and Jean Boxler knows just what to do with it in his cellar. The outcome is a regal white wine of ample weight, its lustrous texture punctuated by the biting minerality conferred by a noble terroir.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2016 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Pinot Gris |
Appellation: | Alsace Grand Cru |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Albert Boxler |
Winemaker: | Jean Boxler |
Vineyard: | 40 years, 13.8 ha in total |
Soil: | Granite |
Aging: | Vinified in stainless steel |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 14% |
More from this Producer or Region

2023 Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg “Wibtal”
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The brilliance of this site is its ability to produce sumptuously rich and perfumed Pinot Gris that maintains a vibrant acidity and stony backbone.

2022 Pinot Noir
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Very smooth, silky, and spicy, a wine obviously influenced by Boxler’s love for Burgundy.

2019 Gewurztraminer “Réserve”
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The rose petal perfume of this ravishing Gewurztraminer enveloped the entire table, and was the perfect way to end a perfect meal.

2020 Pinot Blanc Réserve
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This Pinot Blanc is weightless, sultry, and lengthy as the day is long.

2018 Pinot Gris Réserve
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Earthy Pinot Gris as dramatic and flinty as this, with a hint of residual sugar, demands an assertive pairing; try it with smoked sausage and mustard.

2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
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2020 Pinot Gris “Heimbourg”
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Heimbourg, a very stony, steep limestone terroir in Turckheim, produces a powerful, full-bodied style of Pinot Gris with exceptional aging potential.

2021 Riesling “Réserve”
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About The Producer
Albert Boxler
Jean Boxler, currently rules the roost at this humble yet incredibly exciting domaine. Intense and serious about his land, his craft, and his wine, Jean is the genius behind what are certainly some of the finest white wines in Alsace (and the world). World War II brought Jean’s grandfather Albert back to Niedermorschwihr from Montana, where he was busy enjoying the natural gifts of big sky country. He became the first generation to bottle the family’s production himself and commercialize it under a family label. Tasting through the entire range of Boxler’s wines is ample proof of the fact that Alsace, along with Burgundy, is the source of the world’s most complex, exciting white wines, and will probably always be.
About The Region
Alsace
Tragically, Alsace might be the most misunderstood wine region of France. In spite of its long history of viticulture and tremendous diversity of pedigreed terroirs, a past fraught with marketing mishaps has left consumers baffled as to what exactly to expect inside one of these mysterious tall, thin bottles.
The good news, on the other hand, is that a new wave of quality-oriented growers is working hard to put Alsace in its rightful place as one of the world’s most fascinating sources of fine white wine. By embracing tradition, respecting terroir, and making a concerted effort to better communicate the countless virtues their wines have to offer, they have succeeded in putting Alsace back on the map.
Crafted from a number of grape varieties and beautifully interpreting the region’s mosaic of soil types, our Alsace imports are by and large dry whites offering exceptional versatility at table. While each of these selections is ready to be uncorked tonight, the finest among them are also capable of maturing for many, many years in a cool cellar. Expect kaleidoscopic aromatics, lively acidities, and loads of terroir transparency in these skillfully crafted masterpieces. Enjoy a foray into the thrilling world of the world’s most underrated wine region, and certainly do not hesitate to contact our sales staff with any questions as you take off on this mouth-watering adventure.
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2019 Riesling “Le Berceau, lieu dit Pflanzer”
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2022 Gewurztraminer
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2018 Pinot Blanc Vieilles Vignes “Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Noir “Gallus”
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2022 Pinot Noir
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2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2023 Les Vieilles Vignes de Sylvaner
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2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Sommerberg”
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Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171