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.
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 a 1,000 years. The grapes come from the locality of Bollenberg and Grands Crus Saering and Kessler, and the young vineyards of Kitterlé. It is often considered as corresponding to a Bordeaux “2nd” wine.
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.
Good weather in Spring, meant a successful flowering period, slightly earlier than usual. The summer was extremely wet, lots of rain during July and August, the vegetation was growing quickly meaning the crop spraying was quite challenging. An Indian summer began in late August through to October which helped the grapes to ripen well. Harvest took place between 30th August and 6th October. A very approachable vintage producing balanced wines with good acidity, similar to 2007. Good volumes, good quality.
Pale yellow with green hues. Aromas of citrus fruits, lemon and a fine touch of spice and ginger which follow to the palate. This wine is lively, medium-bodied with an attractive underlying mineral touch.
Great with goats cheese, prawns dishes, fish dishes such as salmon fillets
Serve at 12°C
AOC Alsace
100% Riesling
Natural Cork
13%
5.6 g/l
3.94 g/l
