Domaine Trapet : Riesling Schoenenbourg Grand cru 2018

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Riesling Schoenenbourg Grand cru 2018 by Domaine Trapet

Tasting

Appearance
This wine reveals a white hue.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet is complex, weaving delicate notes of white and yellow fruit with hints of citrus and herbal infusion. The whole is underpinned by a pronounced smoky mineral backbone.

Palate
Both generous and taut, the palate offers a sun-kissed yet delicate profile, powerful and juicy. This wine stands out for its grand, mouth-watering bitterness and stretches into a long finish with subtly spiced persistence, displaying a precise balance between verticality and horizontality.

Food and wine pairings

This cuvée pairs beautifully with a velouté of Alsace asparagus served with gendarme crisps, made from a local smoked sausage. More generally, it will be an ideal match for white fish, shellfish, poultry served with lightly lemony sauces, or rich vegetable dishes such as a seasonal vegetable risotto.

Serving and cellaring

To fully appreciate this wine, it is best served at around 12°C. It can be enjoyed now and until around 2033, with ageing potential extending beyond 2034.

The authentic expression of a great Alsace terroir

The estate

Founded in 1919 in Burgundy, Domaine Trapet extended its expertise to Alsace from 2003 onwards, under the impetus of Andrée Trapet. Today, the estate is run by Jean-Louis and Andrée, supported by their sons Pierre and Louis, who manage the Alsace and Burgundy vineyards respectively. Located in Riquewihr, the Alsace estate covers some fifteen hectares. A true pioneer, the family farms its vines according to Demeter-certified biodynamic principles, with the aim of producing authentic wines of place that reflect the uniqueness of their terroirs.

The vineyard

The grapes come from the renowned Schoenenbourg grand cru, located north of Riquewihr in Alsace. This historic terroir, perched between 265 and 380 metres above sea level on steep south- to south-east-facing slopes, lies on soils rich in calcareous marl, dolomite and gypsum. The vineyard is farmed biodynamically, with grass cover between the rows. The vines, around forty years old, are planted at high density on individual stakes to encourage deep rooting. The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage was marked by particularly hot weather conditions, giving the wines what can be described as a sunny profile, while allowing the berries to reach generous ripeness.

Winemaking and ageing

The philosophy in the cellar is one of minimal intervention. Vinification is carried out by gravity, using indigenous yeasts. Ageing, which can last up to two years before bottling, takes place in a variety of vessels such as foudres, barrels, eggs and jars, in order to refine the structure and preserve the purity of the fruit.

Grape variety

Riesling (100%)