Pinot Gris Cuvée Sainte Catherine 2019

The Cuvée Sainte Catherine was created in 1984 before the introduction of the Grand Cru system in Alsace. This Pinot Gris is the driest of Weinbach's Pinot Gris and comes from old vines from three different terroirs The monopoly vineyard Clos des Capucins with sandy silt soil on granitic boulders; from the lower part of the Grand Cru site Schlossberg with granitic soil as well as from younger vines from the Grand Cru Marckrain with lime-marl soils. Hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, followed by gentle pressing of the whole clusters in pneumatic presses and spontaneous fermentation with our own yeasts in old oak barrels, followed by a maturation period of eight to ten months.

The cuvée names of the Domaine go back to the members of the family Théo, Colette, Laurence and Sainte Catherine.

Bright straw yellow with green reflections, bright and clear.

As with most of Domaine Weinbach's wines, this 2019 Pinot Gris Cuvée Sainte Catherine is clearly asking for the decanter. It is currently still a little shy before it begins to tell us in a clear voice about the aging in large barrels and about young quinces, apple peel and pickled ginger. He always chats thoughtfully and slowly, not hastily or like a waterfall. Orange blossoms and green hazelnuts, lime blossoms and green walnuts are the topics that currently occupy him.

With youthful juice on the nose, the nut dominates as an aromatic leitmotif, to which all other flavors subordinate willingly. With fine spice, it is balanced with harmonious acidity and elegantly integrated sweetness, which should seal its maturity over the next few years clearly aromatic in the nutty camp. Adding to the distinct minerality is a grippy mouthfeel that, meanwhile, may make it seem a bit edgy. Spicy-piquant Pinot Gris with a distinctive nature.