Alsace Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg VT 2015 Domaine Bott-Geyl

The Alsace Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg Vendanges Tardives 2015 from Domaine Bott Geyl is a great sweet Riesling from one of Alsace's most historic terroirs, where the philosopher Voltaire once owned vines. Praised by critics and of great purity, this Vendange Tardive combines the richness of overripeness with the mineral tension of Riesling, and after a decade in bottle it reveals its full complexity.

Terroir and vineyards

The Grand Cru Schoenenbourg covers around 53 hectares north of Riquewihr, on a steep south and south east facing hillside between 265 and 380 metres above sea level. Its Keuper subsoil of marl, gypsum, dolomite and sandstone gives the Rieslings remarkable longevity. Renowned for centuries and admired across Northern Europe long before its Grand Cru recognition in 1992, the vineyard has been farmed organically by the estate since 2000 and biodynamically since 2002, at low yields. For this Vendange Tardive, the grapes are hand harvested at full overripeness, in successive passes. Vinification is natural and minimal: a slow fermentation with indigenous yeasts, without enzymes, chaptalisation or fining, followed by ageing on fine lees. The estate keeps its Grand Crus in bottle for a long time before release.

Tasting profile

The colour is a luminous gold. The nose is deep and complex, weaving candied yellow fruits, dried apricot, candied citrus, honey, dried flowers and a mineral note, with the first nuances of evolution that a decade of ageing brings. On the palate, the sweetness is enveloping yet held in check by Riesling's lively acidity, with an ample, silky texture and fine tension. The long, saline finish balances the sweetness with a lemony freshness.

The estate

Heir to a family tradition dating back to 1795, Jean Christophe Bott has run Domaine Bott Geyl in Beblenheim since 1993. He converted the estate to organic farming in 2000 and to biodynamics in 2002. The domaine covers around fifteen hectares across several Grand Crus, including Schoenenbourg, Sonnenglanz and Mandelberg, and several lieux dits, producing full, supple wines of well controlled richness, never heavy.

Food and wine pairing

This Vendange Tardive pairs with seared or terrined foie gras, Bresse poultry in cream, scallops, spiced or sweet and sour cuisine, blue veined cheeses, a yellow fruit tart or a Tarte Tatin. Served between 8 and 10 °C, it can be enjoyed now at its peak, or kept for another twenty years or so.