Dopff & Irion Chateau Riquewihr
Riesling d'Alsace Grand Cru Schoenenbourg 2023
| Denomination | AOC Alsace Grand Cru |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% by volume |
| Area | Alsace (France) |
| Grape varieties | 100% Riesling |
| Aging | Ageing on fine lees for 6 months plus a further 6 months in vats before bottling. |
- Grand Cru Origin: Sourced from the Schoenenbourg vineyard in Alsace, near Riquewihr
- Grapes and vintage: 100% Riesling, harvested in 2023, alcohol content 12.5%
- Vinification: Gentle pneumatic pressing and fermentation in stainless steel at controlled temperature
- Ageing: Six months on fine lees followed by six months in vats before bottling
- Serving and pairings: Serve at 10–12 °C, decant for one hour; suitable for fish dishes and cheeses
Description
What kind of wine it is
Dopff & Irion Château de Riquewihr Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg is a white wine that represents the pure expression of Riesling grown in Alsace. Belonging to the prestigious Alsace Grand Cru area, it stands out for its balanced and full-bodied profile, supported by a lively freshness. On the nose, it opens with a deep bouquet of apricot and citrus, enhanced by notes of saffron, ginger and subtle hints of incense. On the palate, it is broad and harmonious, with a taut acidity that leads the sip towards a long, spicy finish. Thanks to its complexity, it is ideal for pairing with seafood dishes and cheeses, enhancing every nuance.
Where it comes from
The roots of this wine lie in the renowned Schoenenbourg vineyard, located near Riquewihr. The vines grow on soils composed of marly clay and sandy conglomerates of Quaternary origin, resting on a chalky bedrock. This particular geology gives the glass a rich texture and a pronounced mineral imprint, clearly recognisable in the flint notes. Its origin in such a prized site guarantees remarkable structure and prolonged persistence, ensuring the wine an excellent ageing potential. To the eye, it presents a brilliant, intense golden colour, a true reflection of its territorial identity.
How it is produced
The process overseen by Dopff & Irion begins with a manual harvest, followed by gentle pneumatic pressing at low pressure to safeguard the integrity of the must. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature preserves the aromatic precision of the grape variety. The wine undergoes ageing on fine lees for six months to gain volume, followed by a further maturation in vats for another six months before bottling. The result is a white wine with a solid structure, enlivened by citrus accents and a spicy trail that completes its harmony.
History and Curiosities
Originating from the prestigious Grand Cru Schoenenbourg, this Riesling from Dopff & Irion expresses the profound complexity of the Alsatian terroir. The grapes, hand-picked from vineyards characterised by marl clay soils, provide a harmonious structure of rare elegance. Thanks to meticulous ageing on fine lees and resting in vats, the glass is enriched with intense aromas of apricot and spices. Awarded 92 points by James Suckling, this renowned white enchants with its lively freshness and magnificent ageing potential.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
10 - 12 °C
Longevity:
05 - 10 years
Decanting time:
1 hour
At the end of the war, two of the biggest names in viticulture in Riquewihr, René Dopff and the widow Irion, joined forces to found Dopff & Irion. One of their first decisions was to acquire Riquewihr's historic chateau. René Dopff was an emblematic and prestigious wine producer who, for several decades, had a huge influence on the vineyards of Alsace by putting the emphasis on quality (by reducing yields, for example) and modernising the labels. He was, above all, the first to associate a particular grape variety with a terroir and with specific soils Read more
| Name | Dopff & Irion Chateau Riquewihr Riesling d'Alsace Grand Cru Schoenenbourg 2023 |
|---|---|
| Type | White still semi-aromatic |
| Denomination | Alsace AOC |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 100% Riesling |
| Country | France |
| Region | Alsace |
| Vendor | Dopff & Irion Chateau Riquewihr |
| Story | History and Curiosities Originating from the prestigious Grand Cru Schoenenbourg, this Riesling from Dopff & Irion expresses the profound complexity of the Alsatian terroir. The grapes, hand-picked from vineyards characterised by marl clay soils, provide a harmonious structure of rare elegance. Thanks to meticulous ageing on fine lees and resting in vats, the glass is enriched with intense aromas of apricot and spices. Awarded 92 points by James Suckling, this renowned white enchants with its lively freshness and magnificent ageing potential. |
| Origin | Vineyard Grand Cru Schoenenbourg, near Riquewihr (Alsace, France) |
| Soil composition | Marly clay on sandy conglomerates from the Quaternary period, on chalky bedrock |
| Production technique | Direct pneumatic pressing at low pressure; vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks; ageing on fine lees (6 months) and further maturation in vats (6 months) before bottling |
| Wine making | Direct pneumatic pressing at low pressure (presses with vertical drains to ensure high juice quality); vinification in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature; ageing on fine lees for 6 months plus a further 6 months in vats before bottling. |
| Aging | Ageing on fine lees for 6 months plus a further 6 months in vats before bottling. |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |