DOMAINE WEINBACH
ALSACE, FRANCE 2023
WHY BUY:
We've long been uber-enamored of this superstar of Alsace, and our recent tour of Weinbach’s 2023 portfolio (including 3 Grands Crus that earned scores of 96, 95 and 95 — ultra-rare commendations in the world of white wine) dazzled us. How do they manage, in vintage after vintage, to deliver such extraordinary wine at such a great value? (Not a small amount of credit goes to the terroir itself: the 2023 vintage in Alsace was “excellent," in the estimation of Andrew Jefford of Decanter, the 8th of 9 years to be so classified.) These are wines of inestimable character and soul, with (as Vinous puts it) an “increasingly chiseled” profile when it comes to their white wines and “ever more elegant” palates when it comes to their Pinot Noirs. Not all whites, by the way, are suited to cellaring, but these indisputably are — and they're also ready to drink right now, and you could hardly find more perfect partners for fish and seafood, risottos, and light, fresh salads.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
The Riesling Cuvée Ste. Catherine Schlossberg Grand Cru earned an exceptional 96 points, with Vinous extolling its palate — "juicy, light, bright, stony and beautifully svelte with a lovely, zesty tension. Crystalline clarity defines the 2023.” Such crystalline precision speaks to the increasingly refined house style. The Riesling Schlossberg Grand Cru also impressed the team at Vinous, which awarded 95 points for the "pure, bright, bone-dry and uncompromising” profile. "The mouth just keeps watering, abetted by some lovely saltiness.” Right there with it, in Vinous’s estimation, was the Gewurztraminer Furstentum Grand Cru, a 95-pointer "bright, light and full of tension," with a "svelte, defined body."
OUR TASTING NOTES:
We could go on and on about these transcendent and life-affirming wines, but at the risk of making you scroll and scroll, we'll simply say that all the care, conscientiousness, and craftsmanship that has long distinguished this great house is on vivid and impressive display here. From the organic and biodynamic farming of the sandy, silty, rocky soil to the unwavering commitment to yield reduction to the devotion to whole-cluster pressing and use of indigenous yeasts to the unhurried aging that is carried out in huge oak foudres, process has always come first at Weinbach. These are wines that have always sung full-throatedly of their terroir, wines of uncommon grace and elegance, and, in 2023, especially, we find ourselves in the company, as well, of gorgeous, well-tended aromatics and exciting definition on the palate.
THE STORY:
Situated at the foot of the famous Schlossberg hill in Alsace, the domaine was first established, in 1612, as a Capuchins monastery, and was later taken over by the state with the onset of the French Revolution. At the end of the 19th century, the Faller family purchased the original 5 hectares, and to this day owns and operates the estate, which has now been expanded to 30 hectares, and has its expert hands in all aspects of winemaking. Catherine Faller, who today runs the estate, has worked hard to expand the global reach of Weinbach, showing an extraordinary vision and business acumen, and is today widely recognized as one of the most significant women in the world of French wine. It's an inspiring story, and even more when you spend some time in the company of these memorable, pleasurable wines.
THE VINTAGE:
From winemaker Eddy Leiber-Faller’s notes about 2023: "It was a warm vintage, not as warm as 2022. It was pretty dry, but we had rain from mid-August and a few showers in September, so in terms of water supply, it was balanced a little better. We had very good harvest conditions with good fruit." Picking started on September 8 and finished in very early October, a "compact harvest” (in the words of Leiber-Faller) that resulted in wines with exceptional concentration and purity.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH:
It would be hard to find wines that offer greater versatility at the table. The Grand Cru Rieslings pair beautifully with shellfish, sushi, or goat cheese. The Gewürztraminer seems to have been designed for spicy Asian cuisine (it also goes great, of course, with foie gras or ripe, aromatic cheeses). The Pinot Noir Clos des Capucins works wonderfully with salmon, duck, or mushroom dishes. All show the food-friendly acidity and precision that make Alsatian wines such stellar table mates.
FUN FACT:
The name Domaine Weinbach literally translates to "stream of wine" in German.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your bottles and cases today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2025 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th, 2026). All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in KS, KY, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025.