Domaines Schlumberger
Riesling Saering Grand Cru
Riesling from Alsace, France
Bottle size:
750 ml
Shipping: R150 nationwide
Domaines 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.
Description
The colour is pale yellow with clear reflections of good intensity. The disc is shiny, limpid, and transparent. The wine presents youth. The nose is frank, pleasant and of good intensity. We perceive a dominant scent of citrus fruits, zest of yuzu, lime, white flowers, and a spicy register of ginger. Aeration amplifies these odours and reveals the pear and an underlying mineral smokiness. The odour profile provides a good feeling of freshness. The variety is racy, and the definition of terroir is becoming clearer. The attack on the palate is slender, the alcohol support full-bodied. We evolve on a sharp medium, marked by pearling. We find the range of aromas of the nose, always focused on citrus fruits, zest of yuzu, lime, pear, fine vegetal, white flowers, spices, ginger, and this smoky touch of gunflint. We feel a hint of firm bitterness. The finish presents a good length, 8-9 caudalies, as well as a strict vivacity and a persistent bitterness. The balance is about purity, crystallinity. The great mineral bitters structure the whole, while the precise range of aromas reinforces an impression of freshness.
Food Pairing
Do not hesitate to combine it with a tartare of maatjes and croutons with lime, stuffed pink trout and broccoli with grilled almonds, roasted langoustines from Brittany, fresh pear, artichoke mousse and caviar or goat’s milk cheese, type Saint Maure de Touraine. Serving temperature: 12°C.
