Schlumberger Gewürztraminer Kitterlé Grand Cru

Kitterlé was distinguished right from 1699. In 1782, twelve “schatz” of vines turned out to belong entirely to the Jesuits from Ensisheim. It has been sold under its own name since 1830.

Winemaker notes

The robe is lemon yellow with light reflections of medium intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The wine shows youth. The nose is marked, pleasant and intense. We perceive a dominant of floral (rose) and spicy scents as well as candied ginger. The airing enhances the previous scents and reveals an exotic personality : banana, passion fruit, papaya, mango and Sichuan pepper. The superb quality of the raw material expresses itself with a lot of distinction and brightness. The controlled exposure to sunlight subjugates the range of scents. The onset in the mouth is dense, powerful and mellow. It shows a perfect silky touch and the alcohol support is powerful. The wine evolves on a medium with a frank liveliness, marked by a sparkling note. We find the same aromas as on the nose, this time dominated by exoticism : white peach, banana, passion fruit, mango, flowers (rose), spices (Sichuan pepper) and candied ginger. We perceive a hint of bitterness. The finish has a long length, 11-12 caudalies, and a strict liveliness and a fine and persistent bitterness. Ample and tasty, the structure of this wine is splendid. Charming and voluptuous, it shows a very high level of distinction and brightness. A great wine is born!

2015

James Suckling 97: This enormously concentrated and complex gewurz has a dominantly smoky personality that makes it stand out from the crowd of Grand Cru wines from this grape. The smoky and spicy character explodes on the lush palate, sweeping you away at the long super-refined finish. Drink or hold.

Vinous 92+: Bright pale yellow-gold. Precise aromas of peach, smoked meat and powdered stone are not especially spicy. Round and suave on entry, then more classic and austere; very good freshness lifts the orchard fruit and jam flavors. Nicely persistent on the back end. Dense, chewy and detailed, this is a very pretty wine that needs time to develop further complexity.

Wine Enthusiast 93: Expressive notes of very ripe Williams pear are met with the floral overtones of rose and honeysuckle. The medium-sweet palate then adds the juicy richness of Mirabelle plums and juicy sweet mandarins to the mix. This is expressive, very full-fruited but also zesty and long. Lovely now but certain to evolve. Drink until 2028.