Domaine Andre Kientzler Riesling Osterberg Grand Cru 2022

From a steep rocky vineyard behind the village of Ribeauville comes this stunning wine, one of the most classic and long-lived dry Rieslings in Alsace. Rich and varied aromatic notes of white fruit and flowers, supported by a powerful mineral structure. Straightforward and sincere palate with a tight, chiseled acidity. The beautiful taste spectrum and precise structure express the natural elegance of Riesling. Superb tension with length and accuracy, giving a unique persistance to the wine.

As the name says this vineyard occupies the oster berg (east hill) of the three Grand Cru Vineyards above Ribeauvillé (Osterberg, Geisberg and Kirchberg). With the gentlest slope of the three Grand Cru vineyards, Osterberg has a gentler sun exposure than Geisberg and thus produces more delicate flavours, described by Tom Stevenson as ‘classic and flinty’. Kientzler owns 1.1ha of the 24ha vineyard, where the soils are stony clay over calcerous marl. The resulting wine has a racy personality with floral and lime zest aromas leading to a mineral-inflected, voluminous palate of great intensity and length and a fresh, vibrant and persistent finish.