Albert Boxler
Réserve Edelzwicker
Alsace, France
I love this Alsatian producer and am loving this Alsatian blend from Albert Boxler.
The term “Edelzwicker” in Alsace, France, historically -- dating back to the 17th Century -- indicated a wine made exclusively from a blend of the “noble” varieties, i.e., it had to be a blend involving Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and/or Gewurztraminer.
The term became deregulated in the late 20th Century, which explains how Albert Boxler now uses the name for a wine comprised of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris, as a reminder Pinot Blanc is not a noble variety.
Perhaps this wine is both a nod to tradition and a commentary on how things can change. Perhaps this beautiful wine is a pure reflection of what tasted and blended best from the 2017 vintage, notwithstanding the noble (or lack of noble) status of the grapes involved, still deserving of the Edelzwicker designation due to style.
This wine is medium lemon. It has medium(+) intensity of youthful aromas, which include notes of ripe white peach, pear, apricot, cantaloupe, also white blossom, honeysuckle, and wet slate. On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium(+) acidity, a medium body, medium alcohol, and medium intensity of flavors consistent with the nose. The finish is medium.
Albert Boxler, Edelzwicker, Réserve, Vintage 2017, ABV 12.5%.
I love this Alsatian producer and am loving this Alsatian blend from Albert Boxler.
The term “Edelzwicker” in Alsace, France, historically -- dating back to the 17th Century -- indicated a wine made exclusively from a blend of the “noble” varieties, i.e., it had to be a blend involving Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and/or Gewurztraminer.
The term became deregulated in the late 20th Century, which explains how Albert Boxler now uses the name for a wine comprised of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris, as a reminder Pinot Blanc is not a noble variety.
Perhaps this wine is both a nod to tradition and a commentary on how things can change. Perhaps this beautiful wine is a pure reflection of what tasted and blended best from the 2017 vintage, notwithstanding the noble (or lack of noble) status of the grapes involved, still deserving of the Edelzwicker designation due to style.
This wine is medium lemon. It has medium(+) intensity of youthful aromas, which include notes of ripe white peach, pear, apricot, cantaloupe, also white blossom, honeysuckle, and wet slate. On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium(+) acidity, a medium body, medium alcohol, and medium intensity of flavors consistent with the nose. The finish is medium.
Albert Boxler, Edelzwicker, Réserve, Vintage 2017, ABV 12.5%.
Blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris. The Riesling is definitely dominant, and it’s very dry. Acidic and honestly has a delicious gummy bear finish which I said out loud at dinner with my parents who both looked at me like I’d sprouted another head 😭🤷🏻♀️ (and I’m talking German-made gummies of course - not the strangely synthetic American kind). Went fairly well with Choucroute Garnie - couldn’t imagine a red wine with such a meat-heavy dish.
Blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris. The Riesling is definitely dominant, and it’s very dry. Acidic and honestly has a delicious gummy bear finish which I said out loud at dinner with my parents who both looked at me like I’d sprouted another head 😭🤷🏻♀️ (and I’m talking German-made gummies of course - not the strangely synthetic American kind). Went fairly well with Choucroute Garnie - couldn’t imagine a red wine with such a meat-heavy dish.
Jul 27th, 2019
