Dirler-Cadé : Gewurztraminer Grand cru "Spiegel" Vendanges Tardives 2019

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Gewurztraminer Grand cru "Spiegel" Vendanges Tardives 2019 from Dirler-Cadé

Tasting

Appearance
The wine reveals a brilliant golden hue with amber highlights.

Nose
The nose displays great aromatic richness with intense fragrances of exotic fruits, notably lychee and mango. Floral notes of rose blend harmoniously with spicy touches characteristic of the grape variety. The presence of botrytis adds further complexity with honeyed nuances.

Palate
On the palate, this wine charms with its beautiful sweetness, perfectly balanced by mineral freshness. The texture is smooth and generous, revealing flavors of candied fruit and sweet spices. The finish lingers long with elegance.

Service and cellaring
The Gewurztraminer Grand cru "Spiegel" Vendanges Tardives 2019 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. This wine has aging potential until around 2039, allowing for remarkable development in bottle.

Food and wine pairings
This Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives pairs beautifully with foie gras, whether pan-seared or served as a terrine. It also matches well with exotic fruit desserts, fruit tarts, or sweet-and-savory dishes from Asian cuisine.

An exceptional Gewurztraminer from a pioneering biodynamic terroir in Alsace

The estate
Founded in 1871 by Jean Dirler in Bergholtz, the Domaine Dirler-Cadé is now one of the benchmarks of Alsatian viticulture. The estate took its current name in 2000 when Jean Dirler, the fifth generation, married Ludivine Cadé, bringing the Hell-Cadé family vineyards and expanding the estate to 18 hectares. Jean and Ludivine Dirler now run this pioneering biodynamic property in Alsace, certified since 1998. The estate stands out for the exceptional proportion of its parcels classified as Grand Cru, representing nearly 40% of the vineyard with the four prestigious terroirs of Kessler, Saering, Spiegel and Kitterlé. The award of three stars in the 2025 guide of La Revue du Vin de France confirms the consistent excellence of this independent family estate.

The vineyard
The Grand Cru Spiegel, whose name means "mirror," stretches mid-slope across the communes of Guebwiller and Bergholtz, between 260 and 315 meters in altitude. Facing east, this 18.26-hectare terroir rests on marl-sandstone soils composed of conglomerates mainly made up of sandstone pebbles and marl. This particular geology gives the wines a distinctive mineral freshness and remarkable finesse. The estate practices certified biodynamic viticulture (Biodyvin), with partial plowing, natural grass cover in summer, and the application of biodynamic preparations to enhance vine vitality.

The vintage
The 2019 vintage proved particularly favorable in Alsace. After a mild winter and a cool, wet spring, the summer was marked by dry and very hot weather from the second half of June onward. September benefited from warm and dry conditions, allowing perfect grape ripening and the development of noble rot. Harvest took place over a month starting on September 12, with grapes in exceptional sanitary condition.

Winemaking and aging
The grapes for the Gewurztraminer Grand cru "Spiegel" Vendanges Tardives 2019 were harvested by hand at over-ripeness, with the presence of noble botrytis. After gentle pneumatic pressing, fermentation took place at controlled temperatures in oak vats or stainless steel tanks. Aging on fine lees lasted around ten months before bottling, allowing the wine to develop its aromatic complexity while preserving its natural freshness.

Grape variety
Gewurztraminer (100%).