"The robe is golden yellow with green reflections of good intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The wine shows youth.
The nose is marked, pleasant and intense. Sophisticated, we perceive a dominant of candied and overripe scents marked by exoticism : grapefruit, passion fruit, papaya, spices and ginger. The airing enhances these scents and reveals mango as well as a slight floral hint of peony. The nose reflects the perfect state of health of the grapes as well as a beautiful ripening. Its refined expression is a great pleasure without heaviness. Excellent varietal definition !
The onset in the mouth is moderately ample and mellow. The alcohol support is full-bodied. The wine evolves on a medium with a frank liveliness, marked by a sparking note. The range of aromas is the same as the nose, still dominated by citrus fruits and exoticism : grapefruit, litchi, mango, papaya, passion fruit, spices, candied ginger and peony. We perceive a hint of firm and savoury bitterness. The finish has a good length, 7-8 caudalies, a frank liveliness and a persistent bitterness. Very nice nd tasty balance. The class of the vintage tempers the extent of the grape variety. Marked by a sophisticated and subtle aromatic palette, this profile is remarkable."
--------THE PRODUCER--------
Schlumberger
Our estate is located in Alsace, in eastern France. When our ancestors settled in Guebwiller in the sixteenth century, the Prince Abbots of the Murbach abbey were largely controlling the vineyard. The French Revolution, at the end of the eighteenth century, led to the end of their influence and allowed land redistribution.
In 1810, Nicolas Schlumberger (1782-1867) set up his textile machinery factory in Guebwiller. To mark his attachment to the land, he also bought about 20 hectares of vines. In doing so, he laid the foundations of a rare conjunction of human search for perfection and land:
The "Domaines Schlumberger” were born.
Three generations later, Ernest Schlumberger (1885–1954) assumed control of the estate. Deeply affected by the phylloxera that hit it in the early twentieth cetury, the Guebwiller vineyard had been abandoned by most of the winegrowers.
Shrewdly, Ernest Schumberger realised the opportunity in front of him. He bought as many plots of land as he could and replanted vines. He then arranged the whole vineyard in terraces and introduced horizontal vine planting.
Eric Beydon-Schlumberger arrived in Guebwiller in 1971 and fully involved himself in the company. We owe to him the replanting of the ageing vineyard and the international reputation of the Domaines Schlumberger.
--------THE GRAPE--------
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer origins are a little obscure but nowadays it is generally accepted that it is in the Alsace region of France where it gained its prominence. The name may originate from Northern Italy, near the town of Tramin. Gewürz is the German word for 'spice'. The variety is pink skinned and produces deep coloured and highly aromatic wines. In New Zealand it has been made both as dry and slightly sweet styles, with the latter being the more popular among producers.
Varietal characteristics: Yellow; Straw; Golden; Floral; Passion fruit; Lychee; Ginger; Cloves; Cinnamon; Turkish delight.
--------THE REGION--------
Alsaçe
Alsace is a historical region in northeastern France on the Rhine River plain. Bordering Germany and Switzerland, it has alternated between German and French control over the centuries and reflects a mix of those cultures. Its capital, Strasbourg, is centered on the Ill River’s Grand Île island, bordered by canals and home to the Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, with its animated astronomical clock.