Wine description for Le Jardin de la Source VdF 2023 from Hunter McKirdy
In the heart of Alsace, a region of cultural overlaps and winemaking traditions, Hunter McKirdy has discovered a remarkable parcel of land - a forgotten place that was once known as the Brunnel Gardens and served as a vegetable garden for the local community until the late 1960s. From this historically charged patch of earth, McKirdy creates a Pinot Blanc of remarkable precision and authenticity that seems to tell the story of the place in every drop.
Visual impression
In the glass, Le Jardin de la Source presents itself in a restrained, pale straw yellow colour - transparent and with an almost meditative clarity that reflects the chalky soils of its origin. The light breaks gently on the edges and suggests that this wine promises more than its modest appearance initially suggests.
Nose
The first encounter reveals a remarkable straightforwardness - there is nothing superfluous here, nothing made up. The aroma is reminiscent of freshly sliced sourdough bread, the crust of which is still warm, underpinned by a crystalline acidity structure that runs like a silver thread through the aromatic structure. With a little patience, delicate notes of light-coloured fruit unfold - not sweet or opulent, but precise and clearly defined. A subtle herbal note hovers above, almost like an infusion of meadow flowers and mountain herbs, while a hint of sweet spices - perhaps star anise or white pepper - rounds off the complexity of the bouquet.
Palate
The true soul of this wine is revealed on the palate. At first, it presents itself with an almost ascetic austerity - the acidity stands out, precise and relentless like a metronome. But with air and time, the wine undergoes a fascinating metamorphosis. The initial austerity gives way to a juicier texture reminiscent of the great Muscadets of the Loire - that salty, iodised minerality reminiscent of crushed mussel shells and the spray of the Atlantic.
What makes this Pinot Blanc so special is its ability to be taut and soft at the same time - an apparent contradiction that is resolved in perfect balance. The yeasty notes lend the wine a subtle creaminess that suggests a hint of sweetness without actually being sweet. In the long, lingering finish, fennel seeds combine with salted lemon to create a chord that lingers in the memory long after the last sip - a testament to the special terroir from which this wine originates.
General information
This wine is a testament to Hunter McKirdy's artisanal approach. The east-facing vineyard, sheltered from the extreme afternoon heat by the shade of the village above, is a green oasis, almost completely surrounded by trees and hedges. The vines, which are over 50 years old, are deeply rooted in the cold, fertile limestone marl soils from the early Jurassic period, at an altitude of 250 metres.
Harvesting is not based on potential alcohol content, but on pH and acidity - an approach that emphasises the freshness and vibrancy of the wine. The hand-picked and sorted grapes are gently pressed in a traditional hydraulic wooden basket press for 8 to 10 hours - a process that McKirdy and Hunter refer to as "Champagne pressing". The must flows without pre-clarification by gravity into Burgundian barrels over ten years old, where it can ferment spontaneously.
After maturing on the lees for nine months, without racking and without adding sulphur during the process, the wine is bottled with only minimal amounts of sulphite. With its moderate alcohol content of 12.5% and subtle residual sweetness, this Pinot Blanc embodies the renaissance of an artisanal winemaking tradition that eschews intervention and instead emphasises the natural expressiveness of the terroir.
Food recommendations
This Pinot Blanc calls for dishes that complement its salty minerality and precise acidity structure. It would be an ideal accompaniment to Oysters or Clamsserved with nothing more than a squeeze of lemon. It also harmonises wonderfully with Alsatian tarte flambée with bacon and onions or a Quiche Lorraine.
For something more daring, you could call him White fish sashimi with sea salt and citrus zest or serve with a Goat's cheese soufflé. The subtle complexity of the wine also makes it a remarkable accompaniment for the Traditional Alsatian choucrouteIts acidity cuts through the richness of the dish and emphasises the spicy, salty notes.
| Winemaker | Hunter McKirdy |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Alsace |
| Vintage | |
| Variety | |
| Content | 750ml |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% Vol. |
| Residual sweetness | ■□□□□ |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |
| Complete product name | Hunter McKirdy Le Jardin de la Source 2023 |
