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2017 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Vendange Tardive “Sporen Vieilles Vignes”
Meyer-Fonné
Iconic. This classy grand cru is what we all look for in Gewurz and so rarely find. Textbook traits of lychee, apricot, and spice impart a fleshiness and succulence to this wine, but make no mistake; this is no New World fruit bomb. A combination of Sporen’s terroir of clay and limestone minerality, old-vine finesse, and the low yields that Meyer seeks add restraint to the roundness of the texture, highlighting its elegance and beautiful delineation of layers. Less cerebral than the more mineral-laden cuvées and much more generous, it is the Grande Dame of the lineup.
Wine Type: | dessert |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 500mL |
Blend: | Gewurztraminer |
Appellation: | Alsace Grand Cru |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Meyer-Fonné |
Winemaker: | François & Félix Meyer |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1975 and 1979 |
Soil: | Marly Limestone |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region

2020 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Sporen”
France | Alsace
If you don’t recognize Félix Meyer’s touch from the rich aromas of lychee, candied ginger, and rose petals, you will by the time you finish your first glass.

2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
France | Alsace
One of the gems of the Meyer portfolio.

2018 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
France | Alsace
That grapes can be cajoled and fashioned to make such a liquid is miraculous. This aroma is beyond belief.

2023 Edelzwicker
France | Alsace
Meyer-Fonné’s 2022 has a floral, perfumed nose—perhaps from a splash of Muscat?—and a soft mid-palate with green apple and pear—surely a sign of Pinot Blanc in there.

2022 Riesling Réserve
France | Alsace
Meyer’s Riesling Réserve is a mélange of different terroirs around his domaine in Katzenthal, and is a precise, dry, minerally Riesling loaded with character.

2020 Sylvaner “Oolithe”
France | Alsace
This bottle gives some of my favorite grand cru Rieslings a run for their money with a nose evoking peach skin and pear and a palate that ripples with fresh acidity.

2022 Riesling “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
France | Alsace
This Riesling “Katz,” as we call it, is a beautifully linear and chiseled style of Riesling, fresh and pure.

2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
France | Alsace
The small, sunny Mandelberg cru is already a classic through and through—petrol notes with lush pear, honey, and a tart bite of green apple.

2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
France | Alsace
Meyer’s 2020 is lovely stuff—fermented dry, full-bodied in style, it shines at table in a multitude of gastronomic settings with kaleidoscopic range.

2023 Pinot Noir “Gallus”
France | Alsace
A grainy texture and a lightness on its feet that his other more powerful and structured Pinots grown in limestone do not possess.
About The Producer
Meyer-Fonné
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
2019 Riesling “Le Berceau lieu dit Pflanzer”
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2023 Riesling Grand Cru “Schoenenbourg”
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2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
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2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
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2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
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2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
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2022 Pinot Blanc
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2019 Pinot Gris “Réserve”
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2022 Riesling
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2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
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2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
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2020 Pinot Blanc Réserve
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2019 Riesling “Le Berceau lieu dit Pflanzer”
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2023 Riesling Grand Cru “Schoenenbourg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
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2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Blanc
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris “Réserve”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Riesling
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Blanc Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
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