Notify me
2018 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
Domaine OstertagOstertag’s “Mountain of the Monks” parcel has absolutely everything going for it: nine centuries of uninterrupted grape cultivation, an insane swirl of lava and sandstone in the ground, perfect southern exposition, steep, horse-plowed slopes, old vines, and a pristine location in an undeveloped hidden valley, far from the rattle and hum of modern society. What more could a grand cru want? The wine reflects that swirl in the soil, with the sandstone’s discreet sensuality and charm rolling in the glass along with the volcanic lava’s strength and fire. If you can’t wait to drink it now, consider decanting it for a few hours to settle that fire. If you have the patience, give it five years to see where it will go.
—Chris Santini
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2018 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Riesling |
Appellation: | Alsace Grand Cru |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Domaine Ostertag |
Winemaker: | André Ostertag |
Vineyard: | 1.7 ha; From the Alsatian “muench” meaning monk, this vineyard is named for the Cistercian monks who originally planted vines here in the 11th-12th centuries. In a south-facing amphitheater in Nothalten at the foot of the Vosges mountains, the Muenchberg site combines volcanic sediment and the pink sandstone of the Vosges with a touch of limestone. |
Soil: | Volcanic Sediment, Pink Sandstone |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 14% |
More from this Producer or Region
2020 Riesling “Fronholz”
France | Alsace
Fronholz’s vibrant mix of fruit and earth, flesh and structure, is Domaine Ostertag’s hallmark.
2019 Riesling “Le Berceau, lieu dit Pflanzer”
France | Alsace
Imagine if in Alsace, deep beneath the earth, there were a Riesling aquifer...
2020 Pinot Gris “Zellberg”
France | Alsace
Hot stone and white pepper liven up the backbone of this extraordinarily complex, unique white.
2021 Riesling “Les Jardins”
France | Alsace
This zippy Riesling from Ostertag is bone dry and thirst quenching.
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
France | Alsace
Ostertag’s “Mountain of the Monks” parcel has absolutely everything going for it.
2020 Pinot Gris “Les Jardins”
France | Alsace
Perfect for when a wine with a bit of extra weight and less acidity is called for.
2022 Riesling “Les Jardins”
France | Alsace
This zippy Riesling from Ostertag is bone dry and thirst quenching.
2022 Riesling “Clos Mathis”
France | Alsace
Delicious alongside black cod in miso soy marinade.
2020 Pinot Gris “Fronholz”
France | Alsace
Fronholz is a vineyard composed primarily of quartz, and the taste of an Ostertag wine from here is reminiscent of this stone: sleek, transparent, and brilliant.
2022 Les Vieilles Vignes de Sylvaner
France | Alsace
Beautiful aroma, silky mouthfeel, fresh with old-vine weight, interesting, and downright delicious.
About The Producer
Domaine Ostertag
To call André Ostertag a revolutionary winemaker is to tell just half the story. He is a pioneer, certainly, but also an ardent environmentalist. After training in Burgundy, André returned to the family domaine in Alsace with renewed zeal: he lowered yields considerably and introduced viticultural and vinification techniques from other regions to his own home ground. He looks for the nuance of terroir rather than the typicity of a grape varietal. André rejects formulaic, scientifically engineered wines, and since going biodynamic in 1997, has been an active member of the natural farming community.
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
2022 Riesling “Clos Mathis”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2022 Riesling
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Fronholz”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg “Wibtal”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Pinot Blanc
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Riesling “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Pinot
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2022 Riesling “Clos Mathis”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2022 Riesling
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Fronholz”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg “Wibtal”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Pinot Blanc
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2021 Riesling “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Pinot
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
For the wines that I buy I insist that the winemaker leave them whole, intact. I go into the cellars now and select specific barrels or cuvées, and I request that they be bottled without stripping them with filters or other devices. This means that many of our wines will arrive with a smudge of sediment and will throw a more important deposit as time goes by, It also means the wine will taste better.