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B-21 Top Recommendation
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"The wines are compelling in a rather quiet way, understated but so convincing." - Anne Krebiehl, Vinous
"They are of a consistently high quality and, in my opinion, still far too rarely on the radar of importers, retailers and sommeliers." - Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Alsace as a whole is often considered an under-the-radar region, so when we come upon a domaine that is known as "under the radar," it's safe to say it's probably far under the radar. The shame is, as Wine Advocate's Stephan Reinhardt notes above, that wines and domaines like these deserve far more attention. However, clued-in and savvy wine collectors can reap serious benefits in the form of world-class cellar contenders at prices that are a fraction of what you'd pay for comparable quality and pedigree from Burgundy, Champagne, or virtually anywhere else in France.
Domaine Schoffit's vineyard stable is loaded with prime sites, but the unquestioned jewel in the crown is the Clos St-Théobald in the Rangen de Thann Grand Cru, inarguably the finest vineyard in Alsace. At 6.5 hectares, the Clos is now a monopole since Bernard Schoffit completed his ambitious reclamation project to unite the entire site under his domaine. The super-steep slopes and volcanic soitls produce one of the world's most distinctive Rieslings, and the 97-point 2022 ranks among the greatest vintages ever made of this wine. Not to be overlooked, the 2022 Sommerberg Grand Cru Riesling is another singular standout, this from granitic soils that shine in the wine's stunning combination of aromatic purity and textural intensity. Finally, the 2022 Harth Gewürztraminer showcases Schoffit's great sites around Colmar with fantastic varietal precision, particularly "the glorious spice of Gewürztraminer" as Anne Krebiehl notes.
It bears repeating – these wines belong on the short list of Alsace's finest names along side the Weinbachs, Trimbachs, and Zind-Humbrechts, so if you're a serious Alsace fan or collector of the world's best Rieslings, make room in the cellar. You'll be so glad you did. |
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The 2022 Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg comes from a very warm and dry vintage but somehow turns out pretty classic, with deep, saline and pure rock aromas intertwined with lemon and green apple aromas. Round and rich on the palate, this is a full-bodied, dense and textural Riesling from granite soils. It is powerful and quite massive at this stage, even a little sweetish (3.3 grams of residual sugar), but on the finish, it's saline and pure and provided with fine tannins. The 2022 is obviously in a valley of its development at the moment and quite edgy; it's not going anywhere and should thus be kept for at least 5 or 6 years. 13.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in Colmar, November 2024.
94+ points, Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate (Feb 2025)
The 2022 Riesling Sommerberg Grand Cru is grown on pure granite at the top of the Sommerberg, in a little amphitheater in the lieu-dit Sommerberg itself. The wine is surprisingly pale. A gorgeous conifer note is subtle on the nose but easily reaches the sinuses. It is so delicious. The palate is gorgeously strait-laced, absolutely stony, naked, unbuffered, hair-raising and exciting. This is so stony and precise, crystalline, in fact. Acidity is milder than usual, but the stoniness and the arrow-like nature are exactly what I expect. (Bone-Dry)
94 points, Anne Krebiehl, Vinous (Apr 2024)
This dry, crunchy Riesling displays spiced flavors of grapefruit sorbet, white cherry, honeysuckle and tangerine. There's a lot of energy coming from the vivacious acidity, but this is so seamless you don't even notice the intensity at first. It's delicious and harmonious, with a lingering, mineral-tinged finish.
94 points, Aleks Zecevic, Wine Enthusiast (Nov 2024)
A zesty, spicy style, with candied ginger and warm spice details infusing the core of juicy, honeyed apple. A round, generous version, with a broad, creamy feel, yet this still offers good tension. Finishes dry, with a candied almond note. Flinty mineral and lime zest accents stretch out on the well-meshed end. Delicious. Drink now through 2030. 70 cases made, 20 cases imported.
93 points, Kristen Bieler, Wine Spectator (Dec 2024)
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