2016

2016 VINTAGE: A MORE LENIENT NATURE

After a relatively mild winter, water reserves were filled again thanks to heavy springtime rains. The vines were able to start a good growing period, after having suffered during the intense heatwave of 2015.

Flowering occurred during clement weather, resulting in plenty of grapes but fewer bunches.

A warm, sunny summer marked by high temperatures at the end of August finalized the maturation process before the start of the vendanges, or grape harvest, on September 14th. It was spread over several months, winding up in mid-December.

The first to be harvested, in good sanitary conditions were the parcels for the crémant, or sparkling wine. Balanced acidity and easy pressing resulted in a very fine vintage.

The grapes for producing still wines and our grands crus enjoyed a cool, sunny autumn that allowed them to reach maturity. The process, however, was long and difficult for certain varietals, especially the Riesling.

HARVEST

The Pinots Blancs and Sylvaners show good structure with typically delicate, fresh aromas. They are crisp and thirst-quenching, with fine acidity gently matured by the summer sunshine. It’s the same for the Riesling, though this varietal suffered the most from the colorfully changeable weather of 2016, resulting in lower yields.

The Pinots Gris are dense and elegant, with a nose of fresh fruit enhanced by toasted, mildly smoky notes. The natural balance of this grape will give us gastronomic wines, with the structure and the fat ripeness that are features of this regional varietal.

Benefitting from a long maturing period in order to reach their optimum aromatic potential, the Gewürztraminer develops touches of mango and the spices characteristic of this vintage and varietal.

The summer temperatures also provided good phenolic maturity for the pinot noir, with notes of cherry, blackberry and coffee along with lovely colors and silky, supple tannins. These are accessible wines for gourmets and gourmands alike, with a long finish in the mouth.

The Grands Crus were harvested at the beginning of November in gorgeous sunny weather. Characterised by their elegance and aromatic finesse, each varietal reveals, little by little, its beautiful structure. A few vendanges tardives, or late-harvest grapes, complete the series of those rare parcels judged suitable for the production of these exceptional wines. But the majority of the grapes, while healthy and showing no noble rot, didn’t manage to fulfill the requirements. The production of our vendanges tardives will remain confidential for 2016.