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2020 Riesling
Kuentz-BasKuentz-Bas, a centuries-old, discreet, and unassuming estate, is capable of serious, grandiose wines. Yet what makes the domaine noteworthy—and worthy of our decades-long relationship—is how they excel in the art of the “everyday wine.” Their starters’ range, including this Riesling, is always a terrific value, made from sustainably farmed fruit, with minimal-intervention cellar practices. This kind of classic, energetic, aromatic Riesling is the house specialty here.
—Chris Santini
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2020 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Riesling |
Appellation: | Alsace |
Country: | France |
Region: | Alsace |
Producer: | Kuentz-Bas |
Winemaker: | Olivier Raffin |
Vineyard: | 25 - 45 years, 4 ha |
Soil: | Loess, Silt, Limestone |
Aging: | Slow fermentation (2-6 months) takes place in oak foudres over 100 years old |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
France | Alsace
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.
2023 Pinot Blanc
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New to Alsatian wine? This is the perfect place to start.
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.
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
France | Alsace
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.
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.
2022 Alsace Pinot Noir
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Though we’re firmly in Alsace here, it would be a fun nod to pair it with bœuf bourguignon on a cozy fall eve.
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
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It’s a perfect palate cleanser with refreshing notes of lime granita and tart pineapple.
2021 Riesling
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Bone-dry on the palate, it features intense, clean aromas with excellent minerality.
2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Geisberg”
France | Alsace
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.
More from Alsace or France
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2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
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2019 Pinot Gris
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2019 Riesling “Le Berceau, lieu dit Pflanzer”
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2022 Chasselas
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2022 Muscat “Vignoble de Katzenthal”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru Sommerberg “Wibtal”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Muscat Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
Kuentz-Bas France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Gris “Réserve”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Sylvaner
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2022 Riesling “Clos Mathis”
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2016 Pinot Gris “Heimbourg”
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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