Wolfberger Riesling Grand Cru Eichberg 2018 750ml

The Wolfberger Winery is a huge - perhaps the largest - winery in Alsace. Next to the small town of Colmar, the jewel box, the huge futuristic building covered with black glass, with 9-10 million traditional sparkling and still wines produced every year, immediately appears on the highway. The insider's point contradicts these dimensions: they make wine from all Alsatian varieties, in almost every price segment, but they also regularly produce limited, vintage or grand cru items. We chose them precisely because they make wines and champagnes in a traditional style, sometimes a little rustic, other times quite youthful and very reliable in terms of quality and great value for money. They harvest primarily from their own plantations and also have well-established, recognized grand cru areas.
The Eichber Grand Cru has been recognized since 1983 as an area of ​​56 hectares at 220-340 m above sea level, about 6 km from the center of the winery in Colmar. It is based on Triassic limestone, which is mixed with marl in places. The northern side is partly and the western side is completely surrounded by the Vosges, which provide protection against cold air currents and storms, so the air temperature is always warmer by about 1.5-2C than in the surrounding vineyards. That is why more full-bodied wines with higher must degrees are made from the raw material harvested from here. This area is also more protected from rainfall, so the drinks here are softer in acids.
The Eichberg Rhine Riesling perfectly reflects the characteristics of this grand cru: rustic, slightly perhaps typical of old Alsatian wines, matured, Turkish honey, apple cake aroma, paired with some kerosene, full-bodied, thick, more acidic, a breath of sugar fits the style. Minerality and good proportions, medium long aftertaste, a few years of potential. Serious grand cru at unbeatable prices.