Domaine Pfister – Grand Cru Engelberg – Riesling

Overview: Domaine Pfister began life in 1780 during the American Revolutionary War. That seems a long time ago, until you learn that Pfister??s village of Dahlenheim was favorably noted for wine production in the distant year of 884. Dahlenheim is located due west of Strasbourg in the northern reaches of the Bas Rhin, (legally, a separate department from the Haut Rhin, and meaning, simply, lower down the Rhine River??but keep in mind that the Rhine flows north to the Baltic). This is Riesling country. The vineyards are not as shielded from cold weather as further south in the Haut Rhin, and this cooler climate, along with the abundance of limestone and thinner, less sandy soils, favors Riesling and makes for particularly elegant, mineral renditions of the wine. M??lanie Pfister, the eighth generation of her family, is a young and dynamic winemaker who took over from her father with the 2006 vintage, but dad is far from retiring. He very proudly has got his daughter??s back, and works the vines as hard as he ever did. He just no longer sweats the cellar work. Leading up to that transition, M??lanie did internships at the following estates: Zind-Humbrecht (Alsace), M??o-Camuzet (Burgundy), Chteau Cheval Blanc (Saint Emilion), Chteau d??Yquem (Sauternes) and Craggy Range (New Zealand). It’s worth considering that most aspiring winemakers would take it as a fine feather in the cap to be accepted into any one of those training programs, and M??lanie got into all of them.

Tasting Notes: Don??t forget that this is grand cru Riesling from limestone, which is quite different from granite, sandstone, or schist. Riesling from limestone needs aeration to show its stuff, and it can age remarkably well.

Pairing: Salmon Beurre Blanc, Halibut with Parsley Lemon Sauce

Points: 92 KE

Format / ABV: 750 ml / 13.5

In certain circumstances, a specific vintage may not be available. If this is the case, a comparable vintage of the same wine will be substituted for online orders. If shopping in-store, please check the bottle for the appropriate vintage. If you have a question about a specific vintage that is in stock, please email [email protected]