Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris ‘Les Princes Abbes’ 2016

Producer Information

Now run by the 6th and 7th generations, Domaines Schlumberger was founded in 1810 by Nicolas Schlumberger, who established vineyards on the renowned slopes above the town of Guebwiller.  These vineyard sites have a history of viticulture, having been planted since 207AD. Through successive generations the holding has grown to be one of France’s largest and finest domaines.

Vineyards

Domaines Schlumberger now own 130 hectares of vineyards, 70 of which are Grand Cru. The classic range is named after the Abbot Princes of Murbach, who preserved the vineyards for over 1000 years. The grapes come from the locality of Schimberg situated in the valley of Guebwiller, on volcanic subsoil, benefitting from a south facing exposure. It is often considered as corresponding to a Bordeaux “2nd” wine.

Winemaking

The grapes are hand-picked and whole bunches are pressed. There is static settling of the lees. The wine is fermented in temperature controlled tuns at cool temperatures to nurture the aromatic compounds in the grapes. After fermentation, the juice remains in stainless steel tanks on its lees for a further seven months before bottling. After bottling, the wine spends a further month in bottle before release.

Vintage Information

Managing to escape the hail and frost that beset other French regions meant that Alsace had good yields in 2016. However, during a wet June mildew was a potential problem, but the rest of summer was warm and dry. Harvest conditions were good, and the resultant wines are more elegant and classic in profile than the richer 2015.” www.jancisrobinson.com

Tasting Note

Golden yellow in colour with hints of green, this Pinot Gris offers a bouquet of ripe fruit and fruit compote, yellow fruits, golden apple, quince, Mirabelle plum, orgeat syrup and this characteristic smokiness. On the palate the wine is soft and fleshy with a slight roundness. The finish is fresh filled with orgeat syrup, yellow fruits, honey, button mushrooms. Well-balanced and pure.

Food Pairing

Serve with terrine and pâté or poultry.

Serving Suggestion

Serve at 12°C.

Press

Wine Spectator: 89 POINTS
April 30, 2019, Alison Napjus

“Pretty apple blossom and honeycomb flavors are layered with well-cut acidity and dried apricot and smoky mineral notes in this bright and balanced medium-bodied white. Drink now through 2022. 8,300 cases made.”

Vinous Media: 89 POINTS
January 2019, Ian D’Agata

“Bright pale straw-green. The initially reticent nose becomes slightly more expressive with air, offering aromas of peach, pear and truffle. Succulent, fresh and clean, with an easy-to-drink quality to the pomaceous and soft citrus fruit flavors. Long and suave on the aftertaste. Not an especially well-delineated wine, but there’s real fruit density lurking in the background. The back label reads “dry” on Schlumberger’s four-point dry-sweet scale (which runs from dry to medium-dry to medium-sweet to sweet).”

AOC Alsace
100% Pinot Gris
Natural Cork
13.5%
9.61 g/l
3.71 g/l
Yes
No

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