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2017 Alsace Pinot Noir
Kuentz-BasIn one of the most exciting developments in French wine in recent years, Alsace has become a hotbed of talented Pinot Noir producers. Vignerons like Jean Boxler, the Ostertags, Félix Meyer (of Meyer-Fonné), and Olivier Raffin (at Kuentz-Bas) are making spectacular, distinct red wines from the grape, and because the eyes of Pinot Noir lovers are trained most heavily on Burgundy— just a few hours southwest—these wines from Alsace o er outstanding value. None is a better value than Kuentz-Bas’s Pinot Noir. Clocking in at 12% alcohol, this is a fresh, ethereal, and elegant rendition of the grape’s possibilities.Taking over the winemaking responsibilities in 2017, Olivier Raffin pivoted from the exuberant juiciness that resulted from the domaine’s prior whole-cluster, carbonic maceration in its Pinot Noir bottling to a subtler, more delicate wine. It is a red that might be happier paired with certain fish and vegetables than red meat.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Pinot Noir |
Appellation: | Alsace |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Kuentz-Bas |
Winemaker: | Samuel Tottoli |
Vineyard: | 25 - 45 years |
Soil: | Loess, Silt, Limestone |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 12% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
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Kuentz-Bas’s version is laced with dark fruit and spice and offers a supple, satiny texture.
2021 Pinot Blanc
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2019 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Eichberg Trois Châteaux”
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You’ll want to pair this with a roast chicken or duck, or grilled sausages, when you are in the mood to forego a red with the main course.
2021 Riesling
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Crémant d’Alsace Brut
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There is a rich, toasty complexity from lees aging, which highlights the delicate aromas you’ll find in your glass: honey, nectarine, citrus, and summer flowers.
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
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Pfersig means “peach,” and the wine’s subtle whispers of white peach are adorable, and then the bouquet keeps growing more expansive, more intense, grander.
2019 Muscat Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
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Kuentz-Bas vinifies a glorious dry Muscat from grand cru Pfersigberg, an ample and fleshy white scented of ripe citrus, tropical flowers, and exotic fruits.
2018 Pinot Blanc Vieilles Vignes “Trois Châteaux”
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This unique old-vine bottling from Kuentz-Bas is pure Pinot Auxerrois and boasts honey and orange blossom on the nose for days.
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
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It’s a perfect palate cleanser with refreshing notes of lime granita and tart pineapple.
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
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This mouthwatering and impeccably balanced Riesling is a testament to the majestic heights Alsace’s grands crus can reach.
About The Producer
Kuentz-Bas
More than two hundred years of tradition and vineyard pedigree have made the wines of Kuentz-Bas perennial favorites. However, when the family sold the property to famed vigneron Jean-Baptiste Adam in 2004, many wondered what direction the new team would take. Adam, like the estates former owners, has a reputation for being an advocate of Alsatian terroir, and he is the fourteenth generation to continue a family winemaking tradition that began as early as 1614. The wines are more open than ever while still reflecting the unmistakable character of the vineyards that clients have come to expect from Kuentz-Bas.
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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2018 Pinot Gris Réserve
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Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
If you're looking for value, look where no one else is looking.
Inspiring Thirst, page 211