Notify me
2017 Edelzwicker Réserve
Albert BoxlerAs is typical in Alsace, Jean Boxler makes almost every one of his thirty or so cuvées from a single grape variety, ranging from 100% Riesling to 100% Pinot Noir. The Edelzwicker, by contrast, is a rare blend (one of two produced by Boxler) and often features fruit from his grand cru parcels. He says, “To find the right balance for the Edelzwicker Réserve, I cannot hesitate to steal from my more prestigious cuvées.” Think of this bottling as his musical supergroup. Its purpose is to showcase what an Alsatian white tastes like when some of the region’s best grapes—which usually shine on their own—come together and harmonize. Every year, the precise blend changes. In 2017, a year that saw a triple whammy of frost, hail, and drought, Jean assembled it from Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris. The result is a floral, luscious, and medium-bodied masterpiece, with notes of orchard fruit and tangerine. Incredibly versatile at table, it would be a match made in heaven with Chris Lee’s soufflé or a baked fish with grilled vegetables, but it would also complement a variety of Chinese, Indian, or Thai dishes that have a little spice.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris |
Appellation: | Alsace |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Albert Boxler |
Winemaker: | Jean Boxler |
Soil: | Granite, Alluvial |
Farming: | Traditional |
Alcohol: | 12.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2019 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Brand”
France | Alsace
How a wine can be so boldly scented, yet simultaneously so delicate, remains a total mystery, but Boxler’s Brand exudes pure class.
2021 Riesling “Réserve”
France | Alsace
Made from young vine fruit from Grand Cru vineyards, this Riesling delivers delicious fruit, crispness, and minerality beyond its price point.
2017 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
France | Alsace
Boxler’s regal Pinot Gris—in this case, sourced exclusively from his grand cru Brand holdings—captures the essence of Pinot Gris in all of its textural glory.
2020 Edelzwicker
France | Alsace
Blending grand cru Riesling and Pinot Gris, which Jean says he “steals” from his noblest cuvées, as well as Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner, it bears a honeyed lusciousness.
2020 Riesling “Réserve”
France | Alsace
Made from young vine fruit from Grand Cru vineyards, this Riesling delivers delicious fruit, crispness, and minerality beyond its price point.
2019 Pinot Gris
France | Alsace
Sweet spices conceal an edgy undercurrent, making this Pinot Gris both versatile and alluring.
2020 Pinot Blanc
France | Alsace
With beautiful texture and notes of honeysuckle, peaches, and stones, this Pinot Blanc is a masterful display of subtlety and refinement.
2019 Pinot Gris Réserve
France | Alsace
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.
2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
France | Alsace
Decadent, rich, stony, and a touch off-dry—hard not to love.
About The Producer
Albert Boxler
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.
More from Alsace or France
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Pinot Noir “Altenbourg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Sylvaner “Oolithe”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Blanc
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Fronholz”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Pinot Noir “Altenbourg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Sylvaner “Oolithe”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Blanc
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Fronholz”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312