This is the absolute pinnacle of Alsace, a wine made by the Schlumberger family, who have been established in this beautiful wine region for centuries. It is also the top wine of Domaines Schlumberger and a true gem. But to return to the history of Domaines Schlumberger, we go back to the seventeenth century. It all began when a former tannery, led by Claus Schlumberger, moved to France. More precisely, in the town of Guebwiller, which was dominated by monks known as "The Princes Abbés." Claus wasn't happy there and soon moved to Mulhouse, a free and Protestant city. He married and had many children, and around 1810, Jean took over from his father. He played a significant role in the winery, investing in a larger cellar and purchasing a twenty-hectare vineyard. But that's not all the history of the winery.
The old vineyard of Schlumberger Cuvee Ernest
This top-quality wine is a tribute to Mr. Ernest Schlumberger, who purchased 2,500 new vineyard plots and reorganized the vineyard between 1910 and 1925. This was a significant step for Domaines Schlumberger, placing it among the top Alsace wines. The grapes for the Riesling Cuvée Ernest come exclusively from the Grand Cru Kitterlé, a vineyard on a slope at the entrance to the Guebwiller valley, with sandstone and volcanic soil. Schlumberger's oldest vines are located here, and they yield a top-quality harvest. This white wine cannot be produced every year and was only produced in 1945, 1971, 1999, 2007, and 2009.
The long maturation of the Schlumberger Cuvee Ernest Riesling
The Cuvée Ernest is made from select grapes hand-picked on October 30, 2009, from two plots of Riesling Grand Cru Kessler. Only the grapes affected by noble rot were hand-picked. The bunches were transported in small crates to Domaines Schlumberger. A long and gentle pressing was then applied, lasting 12 hours and yielding the winemaker only 1700 liters of precious juice. The entire wine matures extensively on the lees, developing a unique palette of flavors and aromas. The bottles were bottled in 2011 and aged for at least a year in the Domaines Schlumberger cellars.
Full and very powerful this Selection de Grains Nobles
Yes, settle in for a good meal, because this is a feast you'll never forget. The beautiful golden yellow color reveals that this is the jewel of Alsace. The rich aroma offers nuances of ripe grapefruit and candied fruit, as well as vanilla and spices. The flavor of this white wine is unique, very powerful, and don't drink it too cold, as that would be a shame. The palate boasts plenty of delicate fruit, vanilla notes, a generous amount of spice, and beautiful nuances of apple and apricot. The finish is long and rich with flavor—unprecedented. What a superb wine.
2009
