Millésimes

Harvesting began on our estate on August 30. For the 2023 harvest, the challenges were many. Between the heat, the lack of personnel, the early harvest, grapes at different stages of ripeness and a very spread-out harvest, we had to adapt. The heat wave lasted for part of September, fortunately the team remained mobilized and worked with assiduity, passion and determination to preserve the quality of the grapes. The harvest ended on October 19 with the sweet wines. The harvest was generous, and the resulting wines promise to be gems that will delight your taste buds.

The year was exceptionally mild and dry. As early as April, the first buds began to swell, with budburst occurring a little later. From May onwards, temperatures were much higher than usual and vine growth accelerated. The high summer temperatures and lack of rainfall are having an impact. We need to protect the vines by adapting our technical itineraries. We must leave the leaves on the vines to avoid sunburn and limit grass cover so as not to compete with the vines. Despite its sunny, dry appearance, the vintage was saved by the rains at the beginning of September. Yield estimates were pessimistic, but fortunately the saving rains limited the damage. Harvesting began at the estate on August 29, with the grapes in a very satisfactory state of health. The first juices are very promising, and the wines have retained their freshness.

2021 is the most difficult vintage we've ever had. We were confronted with a period of frost, followed by intense and continuous rainfall throughout the spring and most of the summer. The situation was particularly difficult for all us organic winegrowers, as the fight against disease (mildew) was complicated. Yields were severely affected, particularly on Pinots.
The summer was less hot, the nights remained cool, and the grapes ripened later but satisfactorily. Harvesting began on September 13.

The year 2020 will long be remembered. After a relatively mild winter, we experienced the first confinement in March, so we all set to work in the vineyards. And in this very particular context, we were lucky: we were able to enjoy flowery landscapes, animated by the passage of numerous animals, warm temperatures and radiant sunshine. These ideal climatic conditions explain the record earliness of the 2020 harvest. On the estate, harvesting began on August 25, after all pickers had tested negative for covid19. Despite complicated working conditions and the use of barriers, the results are very satisfactory, with highly aromatic juices and excellent ageing potential. On the legislative front, the interprofession has decided to lower authorized yields due to an economic market degraded by covid19 and the consequences of US taxes imposed from October 2019.

As early as spring, the poor emergence of grape bunches suggested a small harvest. At harvest time, this forecast was confirmed. The number of bunches per vine is the factor limiting yield potential. Fortunately, the weight of the bunches was correct despite the heatwave in June and the lack of water. The bunches are healthy and well sweetened. This is a very fine vintage with great ageing potential.

Particularities

2017 is one of the earliest vintages in the last 40 years. Small yields and high quality are the key words of this vintage. Very difficult weather conditions (late frosts in April, cold and rain during flowering, hail in July) had a strong impact on yields. The harvest is very low, which is why the grapes ripen faster. Harvesting begins on the 29th of August and finishes on the 13th of October. The 2017 wines reveal strong personalities, are very aromatic and feature beautiful balances.

Particularities

2017 is one of the earliest vintages in the last 40 years. Small yields and high quality are the key words of this vintage. Very difficult weather conditions (late frosts in April, cold and rain during flowering, hail in July) had a strong impact on yields. The harvest is very low, which is why the grapes ripen faster. Harvesting begins on the 29th of August and finishes on the 13th of October. The 2017 wines reveal strong personalities, are very aromatic and feature beautiful balances.

Particularities

Spring is very rainy. Late blight pressure is at its peak. July remains marked by the rains. Fortunately, hot and dry weather, even a heat wave, arrives in August. Harvesting begins on the estate in mid-September. On this vintage, the maturity of the grapes evolves very slowly. We make the qualitative choice to harvest each site when the optimum maturity of the grapes has been reached, which is why the organisation of the harvest is very complicated. Harvesters must be recruited continuously over 12 long weeks. The harvest ends on December 6th on a very cold winter morning. These are the longest harvests we have ever known.

The dry autumn made it possible to maintain perfect health conditions right up until the last days. The vintage is a promising one.

Particularities

It was the warmest and sunniest year since weather statistics began.

A long heat wave however caused the vine to suffer in July and until the middle of August. The saving rains at the end of August boosted ripeness. The weeks preceding the harvest were bathed in magnificent sunshine. The health of the grapes remained exceptional until the harvest. Yields were low everywhere, but the quality is off the charts!

The vintage is exceptional, because it carries a very particular originality and an ageing potential, which cannot be compared to any other vintage.

Particularities

Harvesting began on the estate on 10 September with the Crémants, and the qualities of the 2014 sparkling wines are truly exceptional. The humidity at the end of August made it possible to maintain good acidity and the sunshine in September brought the grapes to full maturity. The 2014 Crémants are rich, greedy and fresh. The Crémant Chardonnay has a finesse rarely equalled in the past.

The late season it beautiful and warm....maybe even too hot. At the end of September, when the harvest of the other grape varieties began, the Alsatian winegrower finds himself faced with an unprecedented situation. The sudden appearance of the "Suzukii" fly affects the entire Alsatian sites. The massive development of this pest is the consequence of meteorological factors. This insect damages the grapes, and forces the producers to select the grapes in a draconian fashion. The losses stand at approximately 30% of the harvest. However, the hard work of the pickers bears fruit and the very rigorous selections make it possible to obtain good qualities. 2014 is notably a missing vintage for Riesling. Optimism is called for!

Particularities

The harvest was later, on the estate they started at the beginning of October... but as our elders reminded us, we returned to the "normal" schedule.

The vintage was particularly stressful, with rain in spring, drought in summer and alternating rainy spells in early autumn; the weather conditions really put the nerves of the winegrowers to the test.  The constantly lower harvest forecasts only accentuated this feeling. Fortunately, at the end of the season the abnormally hot days allowed the production of particularly concentrated sweet wines, a beautiful reward for those who were patient!

Particularities

2012, a stressful vintage. After the beginning of the dry season, constant humidity marks the vegetative period. The beginning of summer is changeable and the winegrowers are worried because they have to face unusual pressure from diseases. Summer finally settles in early August and will be marked by a period of drought.

The Crémant harvest begins at the beginning of September under beautiful sunny skies. The sanitary quality of the grapes is remarkable and the acidities are fine and light. Some rains punctuate the continuation of the grape harvests and support the development of botrytis. The cooler and drier late season favours the concentration of grapes marked by noble rot.

The Crémants 2012 are crunchy, greedy, the tranquil 2012 wines present beautiful levels of richness with candied characters. Phew! ...more fear than bad....The cellar door opens slightly to let you glimpse this new vintage, the fine nectars of 2012 summon you to delight!

Particularities

They started on the estate on September 6th.
After a very hot, dry spring, we were expecting an exceptionally early vintage. Some were already announcing harvests for mid-August. But the gloomy summer challenged all the predictions.
At the beginning of September, the permanent humidity of summer had weakened the grapes.
Fortunately, the prolonged heat in September and the almost non-existent rainfall swept away all our concerns.

The record temperatures and the continuous sunshine in the beautiful month of September facilitated acceleration in the concentration of sugars in the grapes, with levels rarely equalled in past years. The few morning fogs allowed optimal development of noble rot.

All the conditions were met so that the grape harvests were serene...true happiness!
The wines 2011 present very beautiful levels of richness with candied characters, to make the winegrowers proud and happy!

Particularities

The years pass and not one is the same as the next...The 2010 vintage perfectly illustrates this proverb, and breaks with the series of warm and early vintages 2003, 2007, 2009. The freshness and rainfall in June hamper the flowering process. However this phenological stage of the vine is essential because it determines in part the yield of the vine. The mixed temperatures in August and September slow down berry growth. Our fears are confirmed, the 2010 harvest will be low.

Maturation begins slowly, with high acidities. Some rains open the grape harvests with a drum roll, but they are quickly overtaken by 15 days of foehn. This warm and continuous wind causes a concentration of sugars, but also acidity in the grapes, which is unusual. Paradoxically, this 2010 vintage is very interesting; it revives the traditional spirit of Alsace wines. These balanced and very harmonious wines have very nice acidity and very marked fruity aromas. This vintage will delight connoisseurs!

Particularities

April and May temperatures were well above seasonal norms and favoured early flowering (late May, early June). July was more mixed and this month's rains made up for the low levels in spring. The weather conditions in August were very pleasant and favourable for good ripening.

Harvesting began on the estate on the 7th of September. The sunshine and the exceptional low autumn rainfall guaranteed remarkable health conditions. These generous harvests ended on November 20th with the picking of the last Late Harvest. The wines are fruity and exceptionally crunchy.  The word "healthy" is the term that best describes these harvests.

2009 does not show any climatic excess, and yet this year will appear in the pinnacle of vintages. Alsace is truly a land blessed by the Gods.

Particularities

After a cool and humid spring hampering flowering and a similar summer, the rainfall at the beginning of September let us glimpse the spectrum of the 2006 vintage. But the beautiful days in the 2nd fortnight of September got the better of our fears. The heat at the beginning of October magically favoured excellent maturation. The Late Harvest and Sélection Grains Nobles are here.

For 2008, the harvest is low, fortunately the quality of the juices places the year among the best vintages. So, for anyone who wants to make predictions about the quality of a vintage, just one tip... Look towards Heaven!

Particularities

Following a warm Spring and mediocre weather conditions during July and August, an Indian Summer enabled us to harvest in the best possible conditions. The grapes were in excellent condition and at their optimal ripeness. The wines produced demonstrated the aromatic purity and elegance that are the hallmarks of the very finest vintages. We were also very pleased with the high quality displayed by the dessert wines !

Particularities

Autumn rains caught wine-growers by surprise. The harvest had to be brought in rapidly ! Although the media as a whole underlined the variable quality of this year’s wines, the quality of the wine produced on the estate was more than enough to reassure our customers. Yields were low, but thanks to careful vine management and selective harvesting, a few vats of this year’s sweet wine are to be found in our storehouse.

Particularities

Having benefited from optimal weather conditions which produced superb-quality grapes, 2005 turned out to be a remarkable vintage. The harvest was stress-free - this vintage will go down as one of the best ever. Acidity levels are balanced, aromas elegant and the finishes have great persistence. Furthermore, noble rot developed early and produced high quality results.

Particularities

This year’s weather conditions were closer to the norm as regards the Alsatian climate. 2004 is confirming its status as a classic, top-quality vintage, with the grapes having been in very good health, with excellent levels of acidity.

Particularities

This was the earliest vintage since 1893. A warm Spring and exceptionally hot Summer brought the growing cycle forward - the harvest began at the end of August! The water deficit caused a steep drop in yield. This wine has lower acidity levels. The near total absence of noble rot accounts for the very limited amount of dessert wine produced this year. All the same, these great wines are of excellent quality, boasting a smooth, full-bodied character of rare quality.

Particularities

A fine year with an early harvest due to a warm, sunny Spring. Summer rains help to explain the high acidity levels. Wine with this level of acidity will be suitable for long-term cellaring. The dessert wines are superb, thanks to an early and - very well developed - occurrence of noble rot.