Dirler-Cadé : Riesling Grand cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Dirler-Cadé Riesling Grand Cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2023

Tasting notes

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals itself as powerful and complex. It unveils intense notes of citrus fruits such as Meyer lemon and orange, mingled with hints of tropical fruits, green apple and honeysuckle. Subtle floral nuances of acacia and verbena, combined with a touch of mint and a smoky minerality, further enrich this olfactory palette.

Palate
On the palate, this white wine stands out for its density and tension. The attack is lively and crisp, carried by an elegant acidity that perfectly balances the fruity expression. The texture offers beautiful amplitude, revealing a pronounced minerality and a smoky character that evokes a true inner fire. The finish stretches on remarkably, testifying to a striking complexity.

Food and wine pairing

This great white wine pairs wonderfully with meaty seafood, oysters or sushi, its sharp acidity balancing the richness of these dishes. It also elevates fish in sauce, Asian dishes flavored with ginger and lemongrass, as well as the regional cuisine of Alsace, such as traditional sauerkraut or aged hard cheeses.

Service and storage

Endowed with a structure built to withstand the passage of time, the Riesling Grand Cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2023 boasts exceptional aging potential. It can be enjoyed young for its brightness, but will continue to gain complexity and evolve favorably for several decades.

Other characteristics

This wine is classified as dry, with a residual sugar content of less than 4 grams per liter. It benefits from dual organic and biodynamic certification, and carries the official AOP Alsace Grand Cru designation.

The quintessence of Alsace terroir revealed by Dirler-Cadé

The estate

Founded in 1871 by Jean Dirler in the village of Bergholtz, the Dirler-Cadé estate is an iconic figure of the Alsace winegrowing landscape. Today, the estate is run by Jean Dirler, representing the fifth generation, and his wife Ludivine. The estate spans 18 hectares, nearly half of which are classified as Grand Cru. A pioneer in environmental respect, the vineyard has been entirely cultivated according to biodynamic principles since 1998. The family's philosophy rests on minimal intervention, allowing the authenticity of each terroir to express itself.

The vineyard

The wine comes from the prestigious Grand Cru Kessler, located in the commune of Guebwiller in Alsace. This historic terroir, forming a natural basin at an altitude of between 300 and 390 meters, benefits from an ideal south-southeast exposure. The soils are composed of sandstone, clay and an outcrop of shell limestone, providing excellent water regulation. The vineyard is farmed biodynamically, with horse-drawn plowing and meticulous manual work, fostering rich biodiversity and deep root development in the vines.

The vintage

The year 2023 stood out for particularly unusual and demanding weather conditions. After an extremely dry spring, the summer season was marked by episodes of intense heat, making June one of the hottest months ever recorded. Despite this water stress and these climatic variations, the vines managed to adapt, yielding a harvest with beautiful aromatic concentration and perfectly ripe acidity.

Winemaking and aging

In the cellar, the philosophy is to let nature take its course. Fermentation of the Riesling Grand Cru "Kessler" Élément Feu 2023 starts spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts, with no artificial temperature control. The grapes are pressed whole, without prior destemming. The wine then undergoes extended aging on the lees, carried out in stainless steel tanks or in large traditional oak foudres, which gives it a complex texture and a singular aromatic depth.

Grape variety

100% Riesling