History
The Pinot Gris grape variety appeared in ALsace at the end of the 17th century. It varies in colour from grayish blue to brownish pink and is a very close relation of the Burgundian pinot beurot variety. Less fragrant than other varieties it produces a full-bodied, heavy wine which is particularly good when made with over-ripe grapes as it’s the case for our Sélection de Grains Nobles wines. Late-harvested, Selection de Grains Nobles Pinot Gris wines are sumptuous and improve by becoming finer in time. Cuvée Clarisse is a very rare wine.
Location
Our Pinot Gris Cuvée Clarisse 2015 comes solely from our east facing Grand Cru Spiegel plot, which stretches out halfway up the slope with sandy-clayed soil on marl-sandstone bedrock.
Wine-making
Cuvée Clarisse 2015 comes from a prime choice of Sélections de Grains Nobles produced in 2015. Work was monitored right from winter pruning to harvesting. Handpicked 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 juicenwas 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. They were then stocked for several years before being labeled and distributed all over the world.
Gastronomy
It can be appreciated for itself, or with a blue-veined cheese, such as the Roquefort société but also, at the end of a meal, with some dates with honey or a mirabelle plum crumble with Madagascar vanilla ice cream. Serving temperature : 12°C.
Learn more about food & wine pairingTasting
The robe is golden yellow and intense with light reflections of good intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The wine shows youth and concentration.
The nose is marked, pleasant, and intense. Rich and candied, we perceive a dominant of autumn fruits : mirabelle plum, quince, date, baked apple, all highlighted by the distinctive smokiness of the grape variety. The airing enhances these scents and reveals honey, fresh mushrooms as well as a fine touch of botrytis and apricot. The superb over-complex, distinguished, pure and radiant.
The onset in the mouth is dense, fleshy and liquorish, with a perfect silky touch. The alcohol support is balanced. The wine evolves on a medium of strict vivacity, with a sparkling note. The range of flavors is in line with that of the nose, dominated by date, quince, mirabelle plum, baked apple, honey, acacia flower, fresh mushrooms and still this slight underlying smoky touch. The finish has a long length, 9-10 caudalies, and a fine underlying liveliness. The balance of this wine is remarkable. COmplete, it has all the attributes of a great liquorish wine : sophistication, precision, liquor management. It is a gorgeous wine.
Technical sheet by M. Pascal Leonetti
“Best Sommelier of France 2006”
