A fantastic new release from Gustave Lorentz who has gained traction with many of our clients as a great source for Alsatian wines on par with greats like Trimbach. The first mention of the Lorentz family was in the 17th century in the northeastern Alsatian commune of Ribeauvillé, eventually settling slightly north in Bergheim some 50 years later. Seven generations have passed, and Georges Lorentz now helms this old estate producing Reisling, Guwerstaminer, and Pinot Gris in a fabulous, tightly knit, and dynamic fashion. Practicing organic viticulture on his 33 hectares of vines, Georges takes great lengths to respect the land and coax the most vineyard expression out of his wines. The Lorentz family owns two grand crus, Altenberg de Bergheim which we have offered in the past, and Kanzlerber which we haven't been able to offer until now. Altenberg de Bergheim is elegant and delicate, Kanzlerber is powerful, precise, and incredibly structured which is why the Domaine only releases it after it has aged in their cellars for up to 5 years. Kanzlerber is the smallest grand cru in Alsace and boasts a specific soil composition that isn't found anywhere else in Alsace, heavy clay-limestone soil composed of grey and black gypsum marl from Keuper and Muschelkalk limestone further below the surface. This composition supplies a typicity unique to this cru with wines that are incredibly complex and long-lived, with some vintages taking 30 years to reach their peak. The vines of Kenzlerber are 35 years old on average and with Lorentz saying the 2017 was one of the earliest harvests they have had in the past 40 years with weather conditions that limited yields and slowed the maturation of the grapes down but ultimately resulted in a smaller but high-quality harvest.
Decanter (Tasting Pannel) 94 points! "Complex aromas of dried flowers, manuka honey, lemon, pineapple and plump stone fruit. Very juicy on the palate with a tangy acidity and a very persistent finish."
2017 Gustave Lorentz Riesling Kanzlerberg
2017 Gustave Lorentz Riesling Kanzlerberg
A fantastic new release from Gustave Lorentz who has gained traction with many of our clients as a great source for Alsatian wines on par with greats like Trimbach. The first mention of the Lorentz family was in the 17th century in the northeastern Alsatian commune of Ribeauvillé, eventually settling slightly north in Bergheim some 50 years later. Seven generations have passed, and Georges Lorentz now helms this old estate producing Reisling, Guwerstaminer, and Pinot Gris in a fabulous, tightly knit, and dynamic fashion. Practicing organic viticulture on his 33 hectares of vines, Georges takes great lengths to respect the land and coax the most vineyard expression out of his wines. The Lorentz family owns two grand crus, Altenberg de Bergheim which we have offered in the past, and Kanzlerber which we haven't been able to offer until now. Altenberg de Bergheim is elegant and delicate, Kanzlerber is powerful, precise, and incredibly structured which is why the Domaine only releases it after it has aged in their cellars for up to 5 years. Kanzlerber is the smallest grand cru in Alsace and boasts a specific soil composition that isn't found anywhere else in Alsace, heavy clay-limestone soil composed of grey and black gypsum marl from Keuper and Muschelkalk limestone further below the surface. This composition supplies a typicity unique to this cru with wines that are incredibly complex and long-lived, with some vintages taking 30 years to reach their peak. The vines of Kenzlerber are 35 years old on average and with Lorentz saying the 2017 was one of the earliest harvests they have had in the past 40 years with weather conditions that limited yields and slowed the maturation of the grapes down but ultimately resulted in a smaller but high-quality harvest.
Decanter (Tasting Pannel) 94 points! "Complex aromas of dried flowers, manuka honey, lemon, pineapple and plump stone fruit. Very juicy on the palate with a tangy acidity and a very persistent finish."
