2017 Andre Kientzler Muhlfrost Riesling, Alsace

Pale golden-tinged straw. Spicy aromas of apple and pear are complemented by fennel and lime. Then very mineral, minty and juicy in the mouth, offering flavors not unlike the aromas. Very juicy and saline, with a youthfully chewy mouthfeel. Made from very young vines (eight years old), this is only the second vintage of this wine.

90+ points Ian D'agata vinous.com

The Kientzler family have been custodians of some of Alsace's finest vineyards since 1699, earning a reputation for wines that capture the individuality of each site with remarkable precision. The Muhlforst Riesling is a fascinating modern chapter in that story, planted from massale selection cuttings sourced from some of the region's leading growers, each contributing material from their finest old vines to preserve diversity and quality for future generations.

Muhlforst lies high above the picturesque village of Hunawihr and shares a boundary with the famous Grand Cru Rosacker vineyard. The site combines altitude with richer clay based soils that give the wine greater generosity and approachability in its youth while still retaining the freshness and mineral detail that define great Alsace Riesling.

The colour is pale straw with glimmers of gold. Aromas of crunchy apple, ripe pear and lime zest rise from the glass alongside fennel seed, white flowers and hints of fresh herbs. The palate is energetic and beautifully saline, carrying flavours of citrus, orchard fruits and crushed stone across a finely textured frame. A gentle minty freshness and youthful grip add another layer of interest, while the clay influenced soils bring an attractive fleshiness to balance the wine's mineral backbone.

Wonderful alongside freshly shucked oysters, grilled prawns with garlic and parsley, roast chicken with lemon and thyme or a warm tart of caramelised fennel and goat cheese. Already immensely enjoyable, yet the concentration and structure suggest rewarding drinking over the next eight to twelve years