History
When Ernest Schlumberger died, his wife Christine (1894-1971) ran Domaines Schlumberger for almost 20 years and managed it with talent and a firm hand. She was the grandmother of current chairman Alain Beydon – Schlumberger. Vendanges Tardives (an appellation since 1984) are wines made with over-ripe grapes picked several weeks after the grape harvest. Contrary to certain botrytized sweet wines, they have a freshness and natural acidity which give them an absolutely unique flavour.
Location
Our Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives Cuvée Christine 2001 comes exclusively from our Grand Cru KESSLER.
Wine-making
Cuvée Christine is a selection of late-picked wines produced in 2001. Work was monitored right from winter pruning to harvesting which took place in November 2001. Hand-picked on steep slopes, the grapes were then carried in crates (to avoid damaging the berries) to our winery and then slowly pressed. After letting the must settle statically for about 3 days, the perfectly clear juice was put in tuns (where the temperature was rigorously controlled) to ferment. Fermentation lasted between 1 and 3 months until spring. The wines were stabilized, filtered and then bottled the following spring. They were then stocked for several years before being labelled and distributed throughout the world.
Gastronomy
- Aperitif
- Foie gras
- Strong cheeses
- Pastry, tart, cream or mousse
- To finish a meal
- By itself at any time
Serve at 12°C
Learn more about food & wine pairing
Tasting
The robe is a buttercup yellow with clear reflections of good intensity. The disk is bright and limpid. The wine has a youthful quality. The nose is pleasant, frank and distinguished, and displays a dominant of candied flavours, fruity, exotic fruits, rose, passion fruit, peach, litchi. Aeration enhances the whole. The splendid nose presents a wheedling over maturity. The range of flavours is remarkable of purity without too much exuberance. The onset in the mouth is ample and marrowy. The alcoholic base is full-bodied. One evolves on a sharp, edgy medium that sustains the smoothness well. One notes a hint of airiness. The range of flavours is distinguished, floral, rose, candied with white flesh fruits, pear, exotic fruits, litchi, as well as a hint of citrus fruits, lemon. A touch of bitterness is perceived. The finish offers a good length, the vivacity is frank and the bitterness persistent. The structure is rich and concentrated without losing any freshness. Very beautiful typicity for this end of meal wine.
Technical sheet elaborated by M. Pascal Leonetti
Best Sommelier of France 2006
Sommelier at l’Auberge de l’Ill (*** Michelin)
