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2023 Pinot Blanc “Vieilles Vignes”
Meyer-Fonné
There comes a time every day—generally around 6 o’clock—when a hankering for something cold and crisp emanates from within. We crave a refreshing glass of white to alleviate thirst and cleanse the day’s lingering cocktail of doubts and worries, its bright flavors signaling a new chapter to the day in which pleasure and relaxation reign.
Félix Meyer’s old-vine Pinot Blanc from the slopes of Katzenthal, in Alsace, has long overdelivered in the role of the proverbial “crisp white” for which we long. It has obvious thirst-quenching properties, expressed in the form of perky acidity and a mouth-watering, almost smoky mineral note that grabs hold of the back of the palate. But it also carries generous flesh, like the succulent texture of farmers’ market stone fruits, enlivened by an exotic bolt of lime.
Perhaps due to the fifty-year-old vines, plus Félix’s liberal interpretation of “Pinot Blanc”—the blend also includes Pinot Gris and Pinot Auxerrois—this crisp blanc does far more than what its price point might suggest. The first glass may satisfy our craving for something cold quite swimmingly, but the second reveals a nuanced wine of real substance.
—Anthony Lynch
| Wine Type: | white |
| Vintage: | 2023 |
| Bottle Size: | 750mL |
| Blend: | 65% Pinot Auxerrois, 20% Pinot Blanc, 15% Pinot Gris |
| Appellation: | Alsace |
| Country: | France |
| Region: | Alsace |
| Producer: | Meyer-Fonné |
| Winemaker: | Félix Meyer |
| Vineyard: | Planted in 1965 and 1978, 2.5 ha |
| Soil: | Granitic colluvium, marl, limestone |
| Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
| Alcohol: | 12.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2023 Gewurztraminer Réserve
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The incredibly complex aromas soar out of the glass with an underpinning note of rose petal, the full-bodied and almost oily texture is classic.
2022 Pinot Gris “Réserve”
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From the exceedingly fine and elegant nose to the creamy and lacy texture, the overall balance and touch, and its hint of salty freshness, this wine shows how understated, finessed, and downright glorious dry Pinot Gris can be in Alsace.
2023 Syrah “Le Samson”
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Stunning notes of ripe plum and vanilla open up into bright cherry in this truly singular Syrah, from Alsace, of all places.
2023 Pinot Noir “Altenbourg”
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This is a rich, ample, seductive Pinot with notes of tea leaves, strawberries, and blackberries.
2020 Sylvaner “Oolithe”
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This bottle gives some of my favorite grand cru Rieslings a run for their money with a nose evoking peach skin and pear and a palate that ripples with fresh acidity.
2018 Pinot Gris “Dorfburg”
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That grapes can be cajoled and fashioned to make such a liquid is miraculous. This aroma is beyond belief.
2023 Edelzwicker
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Meyer-Fonné’s 2022 has a floral, perfumed nose—perhaps from a splash of Muscat?—and a soft mid-palate with green apple and pear—surely a sign of Pinot Blanc in there.
2020 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Sporen”
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If you don’t recognize Félix Meyer’s touch from the rich aromas of lychee, candied ginger, and rose petals, you will by the time you finish your first glass.
2023 Riesling Grand Cru “Wineck Schlossberg”
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You’ll detect a steely quality on the finish, and the slightest hint of the petrol often associated with Riesling. Delicious!
2023 Riesling Grand Cru “Schoenenbourg”
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Powerhouse intensity, concentration, kaleidoscopic flavor, unique terroir: in short, one of the great Riesling terroirs in all of northern Europe.
About The Producer
Meyer-Fonné
About The Region
Alsace
Tragically, Alsace might be the most misunderstood wine region of France. In spite of its long history of viticulture and tremendous diversity of pedigreed terroirs, a past fraught with marketing mishaps has left consumers baffled as to what exactly to expect inside one of these mysterious tall, thin bottles.
The good news, on the other hand, is that a new wave of quality-oriented growers is working hard to put Alsace in its rightful place as one of the world’s most fascinating sources of fine white wine. By embracing tradition, respecting terroir, and making a concerted effort to better communicate the countless virtues their wines have to offer, they have succeeded in putting Alsace back on the map.
Crafted from a number of grape varieties and beautifully interpreting the region’s mosaic of soil types, our Alsace imports are by and large dry whites offering exceptional versatility at table. While each of these selections is ready to be uncorked tonight, the finest among them are also capable of maturing for many, many years in a cool cellar. Expect kaleidoscopic aromatics, lively acidities, and loads of terroir transparency in these skillfully crafted masterpieces. Enjoy a foray into the thrilling world of the world’s most underrated wine region, and certainly do not hesitate to contact our sales staff with any questions as you take off on this mouth-watering adventure.
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2023 Muscat
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2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Brand”
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2021 Riesling Grand Cru “Muenchberg”
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2023 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Wineck-Schlossberg”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Grand Cru “Eichberg”
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2020 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru “Sporen”
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2023 Pinot Noir “S”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2024 Alsace Blanc
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2023 Pinot Noir “Gallus”
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Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312