Burckel Jung
Lieu-Dit Sandreben Riesling
France
Nice surprise of a biodynamic (5 years, family owned since 1802!) vineyard, sister of the sibling pair (brother the wine side) hosting tasting at Strasberg shop specializing in independent vignerons. Tasted orange wine from Guwurztraminer (!), excellent, Pinot Noir (very nice and elevated in tone), and a Klevener de Heiligenstein (Savignan Rose in Loire) which is totally new to me and a very tasty wine that seemed like a marriage of Savivgnan and Sauvignon Blanc from Loire Valley. This Riesling though is truly surprisingly terrific, blasts of petrol and stone fruits that lingers, encouraging one to skip the sip. On palate it’s acidic and full yet with unctuous notes that I’d not experienced from their German cousins. Long evolving finish. Tasted with Margaret G (she recoiled at first from that petrol), bought one and opened at last boat dinner, excellent with appetizers and salmon trout entrée and even did fine with the Turkey roulette. Left reminder (120ml?) in bottle and next day was fine! Poured into small plastic water bottle with obvious air gap and it was still OK for next two days. So this fella can age for sure. I’m guessing at five years old it just entered teenage with still some baby fat but taking on big muscles, of course it’d be nice to try the younger vintages. Lady was not fluent in English and could only say these grapes were grown on sandy soil. Limited distribution in CA and Chicago. Nice accidental find. Most wines in store were unknown to me and the prices were all reasonable or better from the US perspective. Sigh!
Nice surprise of a biodynamic (5 years, family owned since 1802!) vineyard, sister of the sibling pair (brother the wine side) hosting tasting at Strasberg shop specializing in independent vignerons. Tasted orange wine from Guwurztraminer (!), excellent, Pinot Noir (very nice and elevated in tone), and a Klevener de Heiligenstein (Savignan Rose in Loire) which is totally new to me and a very tasty wine that seemed like a marriage of Savivgnan and Sauvignon Blanc from Loire Valley. This Riesling though is truly surprisingly terrific, blasts of petrol and stone fruits that lingers, encouraging one to skip the sip. On palate it’s acidic and full yet with unctuous notes that I’d not experienced from their German cousins. Long evolving finish. Tasted with Margaret G (she recoiled at first from that petrol), bought one and opened at last boat dinner, excellent with appetizers and salmon trout entrée and even did fine with the Turkey roulette. Left reminder (120ml?) in bottle and next day was fine! Poured into small plastic water bottle with obvious air gap and it was still OK for next two days. So this fella can age for sure. I’m guessing at five years old it just entered teenage with still some baby fat but taking on big muscles, of course it’d be nice to try the younger vintages. Lady was not fluent in English and could only say these grapes were grown on sandy soil. Limited distribution in CA and Chicago. Nice accidental find. Most wines in store were unknown to me and the prices were all reasonable or better from the US perspective. Sigh!
Oct 28th, 2023