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2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
Domaine OstertagThis is the reference wine of the entire Ostertag lineup, from an isolated grand cru in northern Alsace that is also the site of a monastery. It is a deep and cerebral wine, a long ager, from a vineyard with a complex mix of soil types. There is a lot of concentration and depth, an impression of a wine solidly built, sure of itself, and serene, with many layers to explore and new discoveries lurking around every corner. This 2019 is ready to enjoy now if you are so inclined but will further develop beautifully in your cellar.
—Dixon Brooke
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2019 |
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
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 Pinot Gris “Fronholz”
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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 Riesling “Clos Mathis”
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Delicious alongside black cod in miso soy marinade.
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
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Decidedly lean in its youth, but with hints of glycerin, apple wax, and resin that will evolve into lavish layers as it ages.
2020 Pinot Gris “Zellberg”
France | Alsace
Hot stone and white pepper liven up the backbone of this extraordinarily complex, unique white.
2020 Riesling “Fronholz”
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Fronholz’s vibrant mix of fruit and earth, flesh and structure, is Domaine Ostertag’s hallmark.
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
France | Alsace
Power, intensity, and complexity combine to bring us a Riesling for the ages.
2023 Vin Orange “The New Chapter”
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Arthur Ostertag’s “Les Aventures de l'Agneau Masqué” series of orange wines have a new name each vintage.
2019 Riesling “Le Berceau, lieu dit Pflanzer”
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Imagine if in Alsace, deep beneath the earth, there were a Riesling aquifer...
2022 Pinot
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A fragrant cuvée full of peach skin, green guava, and passion fruit seeds.
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
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2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
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2022 Pinot Gris
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2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
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2020 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
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2016 Riesling Grand Cru “Sommerberg Dudenstein” Demi-Sec
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2018 Pinot Gris Réserve
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2020 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
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2022 Pinot Gris
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2020 Riesling “Pfoeller”
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2022 Edelzwicker
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2020 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2020 Pinot Gris “Zellberg”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2016 Riesling Grand Cru “Sommerberg Dudenstein” Demi-Sec
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris Réserve
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Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174