2016 Andre Kientzler Ribeauville Riesling , Alsace

Andre Kientzler Ribeauvillé Riesling comes from one of Alsace’s most beautiful and historic villages, sitting at the foot of the Vosges Mountains where sun drenched slopes of granite, limestone and marl give Riesling its trademark clarity and mineral drive. The Kientzler family has been farming vines here for generations, quietly earning a reputation among insiders for producing some of the region’s most precise and age worthy wines. Ribeauvillé is a special place for Riesling, with cool nights, warm days and free draining soils that build aromatic intensity while preserving the vibrant acidity that makes Alsace whites so food friendly and long lived.

In the glass the wine shows a pale straw colour with green highlights, opening with aromas of lime zest, white peach, apple blossom and a subtle flinty note that reflects the stony soils of the vineyards. The palate is dry, focused and beautifully textured, delivering citrus, orchard fruit and a gentle mineral grip that carries through to a long, mouthwatering finish. It is a natural match for seafood, pork, Asian inspired dishes and fresh cheeses, and it will continue to gain complexity in the cellar over five to ten years, picking up honeyed, smoky and savoury nuances while keeping its bright Alsace freshness.