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 Selection de Grains Nobles wines. Late-harvested, Selections de Grains Nobles Pinot Gris wines are sumptuous and improve by becoming finer in time. Cuvée Clarisse is a very rare wine. Before 20112 it was only produced in 1964, 1989, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Location
Our Pinot Gris Cuvée Clarisse 2012 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 2012 comes from a prime choice of Sélections de Grains Nobles produced in 2012. 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 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. They were then stocked for several years before being labeled and distributed all over the world.
Gastronomy
This wine is an ideal companion to blue cheese, Roquefort or oriental desserts, horns of gazelles, or, closer to home, a berawecka. The ideal, in my opinion, is to taste it by itself, for full enjoyment. The recommended serving temperature is 12°C.
Learn more about food & wine pairingTasting
The colour is golden yellow with clear golden orange reflections, of good intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The wine is young and shows a great concentration.
The nose is marked and pleasant with a deep intensity. We perceive deep and rich overripe flavours, quince jelly, Mirabelle plum, dates, spices, candied orange. Airing enhances the flavours, making them more complex and revealing new flavours almond paste, orange blossom, kumquat.
The nose is pur happiness, concentrated to one’s delight. It espresses the great complexity of the liquorous wines typical of the estate. Superb botrytis !!!
The onset in the mouth is dense, fleshy and liquorous. A silky velvety sensation. The alcohol support is balanced. The wine evolves in a clean and lively medium. Finely sparkling. The range of flavour is splendid with dominant candied fruits, apricot jelly, Mirabelle plum, quince, dates, candied orange, gingerbread and always the orange blossom. The final is like a peacock’s tail, over 15 caudalies. We can feel the wine’s fine liveliness. The balance of this wine is monumental. Its concentration is enhanced by botrytis. No superlative can be considered as exaggerated. A GREAT WINE INDEED !
Technical sheet by M. Pascal Leonetti
“Best Sommelier of France 2006”
