FRANCE
Riesling Silberberg
2010 Riesling
Viticulture
| Vineyard: |
Silberberg. |
| Soil Type: |
Muschelkalk |
| Vine Age: |
|
| Irrigation: |
No irrigation |
| Harvest Date: |
|
| Yield: |
Low. |
Vinification:
The Silverberg is the 'silver mountain' and covers 22.5 hectares in the village of Rorschwihr.
Pierre Gassman, champion of biodynamic cultivation in Alsace, insists on late harvesting and lengthy cellaring after bottling, creating amply sweet yet balanced styles. In-depth knowledge of the family estate (a complex mosaic of limestone and marls) and pursuit of low yields promote precise expression of different terroirs.
This Riesling comes from a selection of vineyards located within the village of Rorschwhir, see the terroir map on the Rolly Gassmann opening page. Harvested at optimum ripeness, Pierre Gassmann considers that the grapes are ripe when the pip has turned orange brown inside the grape.
Harvest is done by hand, as most things at the estate. The philosophy that guides the Rolly Gassmann family is to express the true terroir with little interference with the vines as possible, rigorous selection of grapes, and the most careful handling of both harvest and vinification to produce wines of the highest quality and specificity.
The grapes are taken to the cellar, gently pressed and taken into individual fermentation tanks where no yeast is added, fermentation is done using indigenous yeast. Each vineyard has its own fermentation tank and is vinified separately. Once fermentation is completed and the wine is left to rest and it is bottled within 11 months from harvest. Fermentation can take a few months to complete depending on the circumstances, bottling normally happens just before the next harvest. The bottles are then laid to rest for a couple of years at least for the less complex wines, more elaborate cuvees will be kept aside for many years before being released, as much as 20 years and more.
Tasting Notes:
| Color: |
Golden yellow. |
| Nose: |
Citrusy and flowery nose with striking rich spices. |
| Palate: |
Lemon-lime-orange-grapefruit sap with luscious honey. Despite the richness it is bone dry with a citrus laser hit. |
| Other: |
This is the ultimate food pairing wine, this Riesling will go well with blue foot or Bresse capon in a rich creamy sauce, oysters, crab, salmon or mussels. |
Chemical Analysis:
| Alc (%): |
14 |
| RS (g/l): |
16 |
| TA (g/l): |
13 |
| pH: |
2.86 |
