History
Since the middle ages, the Abbés Princes of the Murbach Abbey operated this terroir. The Schlumberger family has acquired it in the middle of the 19th century and it was commercialized until the late 1960s.
Location
The Schimberg is a hillside overlooking the Guebwiller city with south exposure. Resulting from a soil with large Grauwackes deposits (volcanic rock debris of greyish colour).
Wine-making
It is made from grapes cultivated on selected plots of Pinot Gris. Planted by hand, the grape juice is placed in 500l barrels (demi-muids) to ferment. It is then matured on less in demi-muids for 12 months before bottling.
Gastronomy
It can be associated with a large cheese soufflé with spices, a poultry casserole with mushrooms and Foie Gras, pan-fried sweetbreads with ceps or a pressed cooked cheese such as the Beaufort… Serving at 12°C.
This wine goes well with
- Cold cuts
- Foie gras
- Hors d'œuvre / Salad
- Lamb
- Grilled meat / Barbecue
- Raw and smoked fishes
- Cocked fishes
- White meat
- Soft Cheese
Tasting
The robe is lemon yellow with light green reflections of good intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The wine shows youth.
The nose is marked, pleasant and intense. We perceive a dominant of candied and fruity scents: yellow fruits (golden apple, quince, mirabelle plum) and this delicate toasted touch, slightly smoked.
The airing enhances these scents and reveals complex notes of liquorice, land, button mushrooms. Excellent fragrance profile! The controlled maturation beautifully highlights the varietal complexity. Good job!
The onset in the mouth is dense and silky with a balanced alcohol support. The wine evolves on a lively medium, with a sparkling note. The range of flavours is in line with that of the nose, dominated by a noble vanilla and woody touch but also fruits (golden apple, mirabelle plum, quince), button mushroom, liquorice, pastry, butter. The finish has a good length, 7-8 caudalies, and a frank and persistent liveliness. Slender and chiseled, with a nice silky touch, this Pinot Gris has a rare balance where the controlled maturation respects the beautiful complexity of the grape variety. It is remarkable.
Comments by Pascal Leonetti – January 2019
“Best Sommelier of France 2006”
