2021 Dm Schlumberger Riesling Grand Cru Kitterle, Alsace

Still very tightly wound this extremely concentrated and racy dry riesling has great tension and precision. The Amalfi lemon, wild herb and flower aromas are only just beginning to emerge. Very long, crystalline finish with great wet stone character. Best after 2025.

97 points jamessuckling.com

Steep terraced vineyards above the village of Guebwiller give rise to one of Alsace’s most dramatic grand cru sites, Kitterlé. Domaine Schlumberger has been farming these slopes for generations, with records of the family’s vineyards dating back to the early nineteenth century. The Kitterlé Grand Cru is famous for its extreme gradient and sandstone based soils, conditions that produce Riesling of remarkable tension and longevity. The steep exposure allows maximum sunlight while the cool Alsatian climate preserves acidity and aromatic purity, creating wines that are both powerful and precise.

Pale straw with brilliant green flashes, the aromas are intense and finely detailed. Lime zest, green apple and white peach emerge first, followed by delicate notes of jasmine, citrus blossom and wet stone. A distinctive mineral character rises from the glass, reflecting the sandstone soils of this celebrated site.

The wine shows impressive structure and energy, with vibrant citrus and orchard fruit driven by racy natural acidity. Layers of lemon, grapefruit and green apple unfold alongside a striking mineral backbone that gives the wine focus and length. The finish is long, dry and precise with lingering notes of lime peel and crushed stone, a hallmark of great Alsace Grand Cru Riesling.

Fresh oysters, grilled prawns, sashimi or lightly spiced Asian dishes highlight the wine’s brightness and minerality. With its concentration and natural acidity, Kitterlé Riesling will evolve beautifully in the cellar for twenty years or more, developing honeyed and complex tertiary notes over time.