2015 Andre Kientzler Kirchberg Muscat Grand Cru, Alsace

Ripe and textured notions of russet pear take center stage with this wine. The nose already signals at the generous fruitiness and the palate is pervaded with fresh poised juicy fruit. A touch of residual carbon dioxide adds liveliness alongside lemony brightness. The finish is dry and utterly moreish with its fruit-centered joy.

92 points Anne Krebiehl MW, Wine Enthusiast

A beautifully mature Grand Cru Muscat from one of Alsace's great hillside vineyards deserves a little storytelling.

The Kientzler family have been growing vines in Ribeauvillé since the seventeenth century, with André Kientzler helping establish the estate as one of Alsace's benchmark producers for expressive, ageworthy wines. Today the family remains fiercely committed to traditional vineyard work and careful winemaking that allows each site to speak with clarity.

Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé is one of Alsace's prized Grand Cru vineyards, its steep limestone and marl slopes capturing sunlight while retaining freshness through the growing season. Muscat from this site is very different from the simple aromatic styles many drinkers know, offering depth, mineral drive and the ability to evolve gracefully with time in bottle.

Now with a decade of age, the colour has moved from pale straw towards soft gold. The bouquet bursts with jasmine, orange blossom and honeysuckle, followed by preserved lemon, mandarin peel, white peach and hints of ginger spice and crushed stone. Time has added layers of beeswax and delicate honey while the palate remains remarkably energetic, finishing long, dry and wonderfully saline.

A superb companion for freshly shucked oysters, Moreton Bay bugs with citrus butter, Thai fish cakes with coriander and chilli, or a platter of sashimi and soy dressed scallops. Drinking beautifully now and likely to continue rewarding careful cellaring for another five to eight years.