Domaines Schlumberger, Pinot Gris, Les Princes Abbés 2008

The Estate

A young team led by Séverine Beydon-Schlumberger and Alain Freyburger, the wine maker. The largest vineyard holders in Alsace of which over 50% are Grand Cru status. Their second wines bearing ‘Princes Abbés’ labels, nevertheless contain considerable quantities of fruit from the Grand Cru vineyards. The style is rich and intense. On our visit, we were amazed by the attention to detail from the upkeep of 45km of drystone walls on the steep mountainside vineyards to the complete modernisation of equipment in the winery. The Rieslings are charming and supple; the intense fruit of the Pinot Gris is sensational and lovers of Gewürztraminer will be delighted by these rich, balanced wines.

History

Originally called Tokay d’Alsace, then Tokay Pinot Gris, this grape variety is not related in any way to the Hungarian Tokaji which comes from the Furmint grape variety. It is actually a Burgundian pinot which has been found in Alsace since the 17th century. The name Pinot Gris is generally used from 2007.

Location

Mainly produced in the SCHIMBERG plot, which lies in the valley of Guebwiller, on volcanic subsoil, our Pinot Gris faces due south.