Valentin Zusslin : Riesling "Clos Liebenberg" Monopole 2020

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Riesling "Clos Liebenberg" Monopole 2020 by Valentin Zusslin

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a crystalline straw-yellow hue with remarkable brightness and clarity.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity dominated by notes of ripe yellow fruit, notably mirabelle plum, nectarine and yellow peach, accompanied by more subtle citrus nuances. Fine, stony mineral notes emerge clearly, characteristic of the sandstone terroir, alongside delicate touches of acacia blossom.

Palate

The palate is powerful and concentrated, with an elegant, full-bodied structure typical of high-altitude sandstone terroirs. Bright, precise acidity beautifully frames the ripe yellow fruit, creating an energetic yet balanced sense of freshness. The phenolic structure provides a firm framework reminiscent of pear skin, lending the wine a certain austerity and impressive length. The finish lingers persistently on subtle, lightly lemony mineral notes.

Food and wine pairings

The Riesling "Clos Liebenberg" Monopole 2020 pairs perfectly with ash-coated goat cheeses on dried-fruit bread. It also goes elegantly with oily fish, oysters and seafood, as well as pan-seared or semi-cooked foie gras. Spicy and saffron-infused dishes, along with certain boldly seasoned Asian cuisines, also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

This Riesling "Clos Liebenberg" Monopole 2020 can be enjoyed now for its youthful mineral expression, but it will continue to evolve and develop complexity until around 2040, and even beyond.

An high-altitude Alsace Riesling with exceptional mineral character

The estate

The Domaine Valentin Zusslin, founded in 1691 in Orschwihr in southern Alsace, is now run by Marie and Jean-Paul Zusslin, representing the 13th generation of the family. Converted to biodynamic farming in 1997 by Jean-Marie Zusslin, the estate spans sixteen hectares across several prestigious terroirs including Bollenberg, Grand Cru Pfingstberg and Clos Liebenberg, the estate’s exclusive monopole. Certified by ECOCERT, Demeter and Biodyvin, the domaine practices viticulture that respects biodiversity and minimalist winemaking that favors the authentic expression of each terroir. Recognized by leading guides with five stars from Bettane and Desseauve and ranked among the ten best biodynamic cellars in the world, Valentin Zusslin embodies contemporary Alsatian winegrowing excellence.

The vineyard

The Riesling "Clos Liebenberg" Monopole 2020 comes exclusively from Clos Liebenberg, a four-hectare monopole parcel located at the summit of Pfingstberg, at around 380 meters above sea level. This Alsatian terroir, surrounded by wild hedges, stone walls and forest, benefits from an ideal south-east exposure. The soils combine marl and Vosges sandstone, with the latter largely predominant. The surrounding forest maintains a steady water supply and moderates temperatures, creating significant day-night temperature swings that promote acidity, ripeness and balance in the grapes. The vines, around forty-eight years old, are cultivated according to strict biodynamic principles. The estate has developed a rich ecosystem with sheep in winter, beehives in spring and summer, bird nesting boxes and bat shelters, as well as the use of animal traction with Sésame, the Comtois horse.

Winemaking and aging

The Riesling "Clos Liebenberg" Monopole 2020 harvest is carried out exclusively by hand, with several successive sorting passes and transport of the grapes in small crates of no more than twenty kilograms to preserve their integrity. After a slow pneumatic pressing lasting more than ten hours, the musts are transferred by gravity without pumping thanks to the winery’s split-level architecture. Alcoholic fermentation occurs spontaneously with the indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes, without the addition of oenological products. Aging takes place on fine lees in Vosges oak foudres for an extended period that may exceed two years. The wine then remains in bottle for at least a further twelve months before release.

Grape variety

100% Riesling