Sous les Coudriers VdF 2023

Wine Description for Sous les Coudriers VdF 2023 by Hunter McKirdy

Colour & Appearance

Pale straw yellow, clear and luminous in the glass – a colour that already announces the freshness and elegance of this Pinot Gris.

Nose

Restrained and purist in character, this wine presents itself with understated charm on the nose. Rather than opulent fruit, mineral notes of graphite and crushed oyster shell dominate, accompanied by an almost maritime quality of iodine-tinged sea air. Only subtly does creamy lemon shimmer through – a wine that doesn’t impose itself, but invites discovery.

Palate

Surprisingly juicy and more substantial than the restrained nose might suggest. A robust, ripe stone fruit carries the wine, accompanied by a fascinating chalky, calcareous texture that makes the terroir genuinely palpable. The crisp acidity structures with precision, whilst a saline element in the finish provides remarkable drinkability.

Finish

Medium length with persistent minerality and a slightly saline aftertaste that immediately calls for the next sip. The freshness endures without ever becoming angular.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard sits at the foot of Sonnenglanz Grand Cru on Oligocene limestone marl at 230 metres elevation. The north-facing aspect in this Lieu-dit named „Sous les Coudriers“ (beneath the hazelnut trees) creates a cool microclimate that is distinctly reflected in the wine’s freshness and minerality. Twenty-year-old vines deliver concentrated yet elegant grapes.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Pinot Gris, vinified with minimalist intervention. Whole-bunch pressing over 8-10 hours in a historic basket press, spontaneous fermentation in old Burgundy barrels, nine months on lees without racking. No SO₂ addition during vinification, only minimal before bottling – a natural approach that gives maximum expression to the terroir.

Food Pairing Suggestions

The saline minerality practically demands raw oysters or scallops. Equally harmonious with sushi, ceviche, smoked trout or a classic Alsatian flammekuchen. Also an excellent choice with goat’s cheese and light poultry.

Special Characteristics

A Pinot Gris that deliberately swims against the current – no opulence, no residual sweetness, instead mineral precision and pure drinkability. A wine for lovers of authentic, terroir-driven Alsatian wines.