Les Forêts Oubliées VdF 2023

Wine description for Les Forêts Oubliées VdF 2023 from Hunter McKirdy

General information

In the rolling hills of Alsace, where history and terroir manifest themselves in every drop, winemakers Jolene Hunter and Paul McKirdy create a wine that breathes the past of the landscape. Les Forêts Oubliées - the forgotten forests - is more than just a name; it is a reminder of a time when the slopes around Zellenberg, which are now covered in vines, were still covered in indigenous forests. All that remains are the place names, like faint echoes of a vanished landscape of trees and forests.

This Auxerrois comes from 30-year-old vines in the Harth district of Zellenberg, where a thin layer of glacial moraine rests over Jurassic limestone marl at an altitude of 290 metres. The east-south-east orientation of the plot creates a cool, late-ripening site - a microcosm that brings out the finesse of this often overlooked Alsatian grape variety.

Visual impression

In the glass, the wine presents itself in a translucent, light platinum colour reminiscent of freshly melted snow - clear, precise and with a subtle reflection of light that emphasises its purity.

Nose

The aromatic signature of this wine unfolds like a spring morning in Alsace. Delicate notes of hawthorn blossom and acacia hover over a core of yellow citrus fruit - lemon zest punctuated by the occasional splash of lime. With increasing aeration, the mineral dimension is revealed: cool stone after a summer rain, lichen on old limestone and a hint of wild mint. A delicate mirabelle plum fruit shimmers through, while subtle nuances of yeast pastry and bread crust bear witness to the artisanal vinification. It is a bouquet of remarkable precision that reflects the coolness and clarity of the terroir.

Palate

On the palate, the characteristic lean yet complex style of McKirdy is evident. The crystalline, juicy fruit dances in perfect balance with a tonic minerality. The acidity - lively but never aggressive - gives the wine a backbone that attests to its cool microclimate origins. The texture is of fascinating finesse: silky, with a barely perceptible peppery spiciness that stimulates the palate. What particularly characterises this Auxerrois is its pronounced, mouth-watering saltiness - an echo of the chalky subsoil - and a vibrant energy that turns every sip into a voyage of discovery.

The artisanal integrity of the wine is reflected in its crystal-clear transparency. There is no manipulation here, no masking - just the pure essence of a place, captured by the careful hand of the winemaker.

With its modest 12.5% alcohol and restrained residual sweetness, the wine always remains on the dry, precise side of the spectrum - an expression of restraint and elegance.

The vinification - a slow pressing of whole grapes for 8-10 hours in a traditional wooden basket press, followed by spontaneous fermentation in old Burgundian barrels and a nine-month maturation on the full lees without racking - emphasises the uncompromising pursuit of authenticity. Only before bottling was a minimal amount of sulphur added to preserve the purity of expression.

Food pairing suggestions

This Auxerrois calls for dishes that complement its precision and salty minerality. It harmonises wonderfully with Alsatian classics like a tender Tarte flambée with sour cream and bacon or a Quiche with goat's cheese and fresh herbs. Its vibrant acidity makes it the ideal companion for Seafood - especially raw oysters or a White fish ceviche with citrus fruits. Also to young goat's cheese or a Salad with pears and hazelnuts it unfolds its full elegance.

Les Forêts Oubliées is a wine that invites you to pause - a liquid poem that tells of forgotten forests and the timeless connection between man, vine and landscape.