2022 Weinbach - Furstentum Grand Cru Pinots (1.5L)

Domaine Weinbach takes its name from the small stream that runs through the property at the foot of the Schlossberg hill, on land first developed into a winery in 1612 by Capuchin monks. The Faller brothers purchased the estate in 1898, and it passed through Théo Faller to his wife Colette and daughters Catherine and Laurence, who preserved the family's exacting standards. Catherine Faller now runs Weinbach with her son Théo, continuing the biodynamic farming and hand-harvesting practices that define every wine to leave the property.

This cuvée is a co-fermented blend built mainly on Pinot Gris, rounded out with Pinot Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc, drawn from vines roughly forty years old in the Furstentum Grand Cru. The vineyard's south-southeast exposure and calcareous, stony soil hold warmth well while draining efficiently, giving the grapes a slow, even ripening. The wine ferments in oak barrels and rests on its lees for around fourteen months, a portion of it in new wood, which builds texture without overwhelming the fruit.

Clear orchard fruit leads on the nose, giving way to a juicy, plush midpalate that is powerful yet harmonious, touched with cream and a light spiciness. The oak lends structure rather than overt flavor, and the finish stays fresh despite the wine's richness. Pour it with roast pork and apples, a warm tarte flambée, or a firm alpine cheese like Beaufort.