2022 AOC - Grand Cru Kastelberg
2022 AOC - Grand Cru Kastelberg
The 2022 Kastelberg shows great balance, a parcel that can risk over-ripeness, picked early to retain its freshness. Chiseled, mineral and persistently salty, great length and complexity.
Cuvée: Grand Cru Kastelberg
Style: Still
Colour: White
Grapes/Blend: Riesling
ABV: 12%
Vintage: 2022
Winemaking: From the Kastelberg vineyard, that rises over the village of Andlau, facing south, a rocky parcel but warm. Vines are planted on the terraced hills, over its unique compressed or 'recooked' Schist - a hard, dense and very mineral schist. Most of the vines from this parcel are those Yann's dad planted, averaging at 40 years old, alongside their almond trees (pictured on the label) Their parcel is 0.8 hectares, with a tiny yield. Hand-harvested, early in the morning for freshness. A gentle 6-hour press with fermentation and ageing in large wooden foudre. Bottled unfiltered after nearly 12 months.
Sulphur: 10mg/l during fermentation
Soil: Compressed Schist
The Durrmann family had made wine for generations as small farmers. Grandad had moved away from farming to become a shoemaker but still kept a few vines on the side. André decided to move back to farming in 1979 and pieced the domaine together from abandoned vineyard sites that were hard to work and no longer commercially viable. Son Yann has worked in the domaine since he was a child and officially took over the business a year ago. André was among the first wave of organic winemakers in Alsace, converting in 1998. Yann has taken this a step further applying a more natural approach in the cellar.