Dirler-Cadé : Riesling Grand cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2020

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Riesling Grand Cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2020 from Dirler-Cadé

Tasting notes

Colour
With a beautiful pale to light yellow hue, this wine reveals superb green highlights, reflecting its youth and freshness.

Nose
Subtle and restrained at first, the bouquet reveals aromas of dried herbs and stone. With aeration, it evolves towards lemony notes accompanied by hints of anise, verbena and lemon balm. Citrus, yuzu, lemon and white flower scents also emerge, enriched by exotic touches of starfruit, spices, white pepper and ginger, along with a smoky mineral dimension characteristic of the terroir.

Palate
Charming and persistent, the attack reveals fine density and great aromatic precision. Lemon and lime flavours dominate, supported by a finely chiseled acidity that provides structure and freshness. The mid-palate unfolds a complex palette of citrus, spices and minerality, with a touch of noble bitterness that lends definition. The finish lingers over ripe, tangy citrus notes, combining the breadth brought by the clay elements of the soil with the vibrant, saline grain derived from the sandstone substrate.

Food and wine pairing

This Riesling pairs perfectly with shellfish and seafood, particularly oysters, scallops with herb cream or sushi. It also pairs very well with delicate fish, poultry, roast pork, Peking duck or glazed ham. Goat cheeses make an excellent match. Lightly spiced dishes with curry or citrus are also recommended.

Service and storage

The Riesling Grand Cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2020 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2035.

An Alsace Riesling, mineral and precise, an expression of the Kessler terroir

The estate

Founded in 1871 by Jean Dirler in Bergholtz, Domaine Dirler-Cadé represents five generations of winemaking expertise. In 2000, the marriage of Jean Dirler and Ludivine Hell-Cadé brought together the two family estates. Pioneers of biodynamics since 1998, Jean and Ludivine Dirler now cultivate 18 hectares of vines in Alsace, 40% of which are Grand Cru. The estate has been certified organic and biodynamic since 2001. La Revue du Vin de France recently awarded the estate three stars, confirming the excellence of its wines from the terroirs of Guebwiller.

The vineyard

The Kessler Grand Cru extends over the slopes of the Unterlinger hillside, at altitudes between 300 and 390 metres, with an ideal south-east exposure. Its name means "cauldron" in German, evoking the basin-shaped configuration of the "Heisse Wanne" (hot basin) site, which naturally regulates the heat. The soils are composed of weathered Vosges sandstone, creating a reddish sandy-clay mix enriched with minerals. This complex geology forces the vines to develop a deep root system. Recognised since 1394 and classified as Grand Cru in 1975, Kessler benefits from a microclimate sheltered from northerly winds. The estate ploughs with horses and applies biodynamic preparations to strengthen the vitality of the vines.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Alsace benefited from favourable conditions, allowing for full ripening of the grapes. After a mild winter, the warm and regularly rainy summer ensured good vine health. The harvest took place under dry and sunny conditions, allowing grapes to be picked at optimal ripeness while preserving beautiful freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The Riesling Grand Cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2020 is vinified using a minimalist approach. The grapes are slowly pressed as whole bunches to preserve the expression of fruit and terroir. Fermentation occurs spontaneously through indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged on the lees for eight to ten months, without any time in oak barrels, in order to maintain aromatic purity and the mineral expression characteristic of the terroir.

Grape variety

Riesling (100%)