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2023 Pinot Blanc “Vieilles Vignes”
Meyer-Fonné
There comes a time every day—generally around 6 o’clock—when a hankering for something cold and crisp emanates from within. We crave a refreshing glass of white to alleviate thirst and cleanse the day’s lingering cocktail of doubts and worries, its bright flavors signaling a new chapter to the day in which pleasure and relaxation reign.
Félix Meyer’s old-vine Pinot Blanc from the slopes of Katzenthal, in Alsace, has long overdelivered in the role of the proverbial “crisp white” for which we long. It has obvious thirst-quenching properties, expressed in the form of perky acidity and a mouth-watering, almost smoky mineral note that grabs hold of the back of the palate. But it also carries generous flesh, like the succulent texture of farmers’ market stone fruits, enlivened by an exotic bolt of lime.
Perhaps due to the fifty-year-old vines, plus Félix’s liberal interpretation of “Pinot Blanc”—the blend also includes Pinot Gris and Pinot Auxerrois—this crisp blanc does far more than what its price point might suggest. The first glass may satisfy our craving for something cold quite swimmingly, but the second reveals a nuanced wine of real substance.
—Anthony Lynch
| Wine Type: | white |
| Vintage: | 2023 |
| Bottle Size: | 750mL |
| Blend: | 65% Pinot Auxerrois, 20% Pinot Blanc, 15% Pinot Gris |
| Appellation: | Alsace |
| Country: | France |
| Region: | Alsace |
| Producer: | Meyer-Fonné |
| Winemaker: | Félix Meyer |
| Vineyard: | Planted in 1965 and 1978, 2.5 ha |
| Soil: | Granitic colluvium, marl, limestone |
| Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
| Alcohol: | 12.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2019 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Furstentum”
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A slightly sweeter style of Gewurztraminer with opulent aromas and flavors to pair with any kind of spicy food.
Crémant d’Alsace Brut
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This rich, gastronomic crémant with fine and elegant bubbles will have even the Champagne purist singing its praises.
2023 Pinot Noir “Altenbourg”
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This is a rich, ample, seductive Pinot with notes of tea leaves, strawberries, and blackberries.
2023 Pinot Noir “Gallus”
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A grainy texture and a lightness on its feet that his other more powerful and structured Pinots grown in limestone do not possess.
2021 Riesling “Pfoeller”
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One of the gems of the Meyer portfolio.
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.
2023 Riesling Grand Cru “Mandelberg Vieilles Vignes”
France | Alsace
Felix Meyer’s recent acquisition from the small, sunny Mandelberg cru is already a classic through and through.
2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Kaefferkopf”
France | Alsace
Power, intensity, and complexity combine to bring us a Riesling for the ages.
2021 Pinot Gris Vendange Tardive “Hinterburg de Katzenthal”
France | Alsace
Almond, butter, orange confit, white truffle—it’s all there in the awesome bouquet—then you experience the unctuous, dense palate with a texture to write home about.
2023 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
France | Alsace
You’ll detect a steely quality on the finish, and the slightest hint of the petrol often associated with Riesling. Delicious!
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
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2023 Edelzwicker
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2021 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
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2022 Pinot Gris
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2023 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Wineck-Schlossberg”
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2023 Riesling “Les Jardins”
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2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
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2021 Riesling “Trois Châteaux”
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2019 Riesling Grand Cru “Pfersigberg Trois Châteaux”
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2021 Crémant d’Alsace Brut
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2022 Pinot Gris
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2020 Riesling “Fronholz”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2023 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Wineck-Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Pinot Blanc Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2023 Riesling “Les Jardins”
Domaine Ostertag France | Alsace
2019 Gewurztraminer “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2019 Pinot Gris Réserve
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2018 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Brand”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236