Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Grand Cru Saering 2019
(Alsace, France) - [DM 93] [WA 92] [W&S 91] [WS 90]

About the Domaine: 
With a single holding of more than 330 acres at Guebwiller, Domaines Schlumberger is the largest Grands Crus producer in Alsace. All Schlumberger wines are estate-grown. Seventy-five percent of the vines are planted on very steep, terraced slopes, requiring horses be used for fieldwork.

The outstanding quality of the wines is due largely to Schlumberger’s superior vineyards, but also because yields are deliberately kept low. The winery produces only 80,000 cases annually, while the law allows for up to 160,000.

First mentioned in 1250, the Saering plot slips from the hill and extends like a peninsula on the plain, forming a sort of tongue of land in the form of a ring. It has been sold under its own since 1830. To the north of Guebwiller, Saering faces east and south-east at an altitude of ranging from 260 to 300 meters. The Saering marl, limestone, and sandstone terroir brings out the best in this magnificent, fine, delicate Riesling.

Winemaking: 
The grapes were harvested by hand and the bunches were pressed whole. Static settling of the lees occurred. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled tuns between one and four months. The wine was raised on the lees for eight months.

Tasting Notes: 
The robe is lemon yellow with light green reflections of good intensity. The disk is bright, limpid and transparent. The wine shows youth. The nose is marked, pleasant and of good intensity. We perceive a dominant of citrus fruits, (mandarin zest, lemon, crystallised orange), white flowers and a light ferruginous, bloody touch. The airing enhances these scents and reveals smoky, flinty notes and spices (ginger). The nose is open and has already a mineral hint. The perfect ripeness of the grapes expresses a splendid terroir profile. The onset in the mouth is fleshy and the alcoholic base full-bodied. The wine evolves on a rigorous medium, marked by a delicate salinity and a sparkling note. Aromas are more austere, first dominated by mineral (flint, naphta) then by citrus fruits (yuzu zest, lime), white flowers and spices (ginger). There is a significant mineral bitterness. That balance is remarkable! Despite the exposure to sunlight, the Riesling extraordinarily emphasises the soil. With its noble bitterness, this wine is made for decades.

Pairs beautifully with tempura calamari with crispy vegetables, an Asian-flavored salmon fillet, a lobster tail with citrus fruit, as well as a goat’s milk cheese. Serve at the suggested temperature of 54°F.

100% Riesling

ABV: 14.2%

Residual Sugar: 2.1 g/L

Ratings & Reviews

17.5/20 Points - Jancis Robinson:
A very good vintage for grand cru Riesling. Harvest 9 October 2019. Fermentation lasted four weeks in oak casks. Aged eight months on fine lees.

This has the more creamy richness of an Alsace Riesling (compared with most German Rieslings, generalisation alert), more creamy than stony/mineral notes, and it is already showing some evolution and thus aromatic complexity along with the citrus-lime fruit. A touch of kerosene-like tertiary flavour. This has the texture that makes it slightly chewy and mouth-filling, and has the fruit intensity for a really substantial wine. Very deep and very long. VGV. 2022-2029. (JH)

93 Points - Decanter:
"Like all great Alsace Rieslings, this has the acidity to guarantee it a long life ahead, but it's delicious now nonetheless. Schlumberger is a famous name – and the largest estate – in the Alsace region, with 140ha planted, half on grand cru sites like this one. The beauty of this wine lies in the contrast between the fleshy, forward peach and lemon citrus fruit and the backbone that comes from racy acidity and a seam of minerality. There's only 2g/L residual sugar, so no perceptible sweetness. Just delicious dry Riesling with great cellaring potential." - Amy Wislocki (July 2022)

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
From a rather coolish, east and southeast-facing site north of Guebwiller and cultivated since 1250, the 2019 Riesling Grand Cru Saering offers clear fresh and fruity aromas on the nose, with ripe mango notes intertwined with iodine notes of crushed stones (marl/limestone/sandstone). Full-bodied, lush and savory on the palate, with fine mineral acidity yet most of all remarkably aromatic and juicy tropical fruit (mango and passion fruits), this is the most accessible cru of the domaine. The finish is vital, pure and mineral, providing fine bitters and serious phenolic grip. 14.2% alcohol. Natural cork.

91 Points - Wine & Spirits:

"Racy, ricey and rich in yellow fruit, from apple to plum to lemon, this is a clean, linear riesling with talc-like minerality keeping it tightly focused. It’s youthful and needs bottle age to develop its breadth of flavor." - Josh Green (August 2021)

90 Points - Wine Spectator:

"This light-bodied white crackles with tangy acidity, showing aromas and flavors of Meyer lemon peel and verbena layered with the crunchy green apple and wet stone notes. Drink now through 2025. 800 cases made, 136 cases imported." - Alison Napjus (June 2021)