Technical presentation
| Bottling : | January 2025 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 12.6 ° |
| Residual sugar : | 1.8 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 3.7 g/l H2SO4 (5.7 g/l Tartrique) |
| pH : | 3.25 |
| Yield : | 30 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2026-2038 |
| Average age of vines : | 37 years |
| Grape variety : | Riesling |
| Terroir : | Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain |
| Sweetness index : | 1 |
| Soil : | Sedimentary volcanic rocks, South facing, Very steep slope |
Description of the wine Riesling Roche Volcanique 2023
This wine originates from some of the youngest vines planted on the Grand Cru Rangen after 1978, hence its denomination ‘volcanic’ as the Rangen soil is made of sedimentary compressed volcanic ash. In vintages like 2022, it is possible to see a difference in both yields and behaviour between vines of different age. Rangen doesn’t really suffer too much of drought as the valley of Thann benefits of more rainfalls than further north around Colmar (750mm versus 500mm). So, despite the steep slope, a warm south facing exposure and a rocky well drained soil, the vines can find enough water in the soil, if of course the roots plunge deep enough. Being more south, and therefore at a higher altitude, Rangen is also a later ripening vineyard. This wine obviously doesn’t have the intensity and concentration of the Grand Cru bottling, but still is a nice introduction to this rare geology.
Tasting notes
01/2024: light pale-yellow colour. The nose is already quite expressive, showing aromatic herbs, ripe fruits. Very attractive nose! The palate reveals the classic volcanic signature with a mineral, salty taste. Amazing tense mid palate with a surprising acidity and a serious dry finish. Not a powerful wine but good persistency and more accessible in its youth. To be enjoyed now or later!
The Clos Saint Urbain, Grand Cru Rangen from Thann
The Rangen de Thann is the most southerly of the Alsace vineyards. In his book « Where Alsace wines ripen », Henry Riegert writes: « from the Middle Ages those wines which ripen on the Rangen hillside figure amongst the most famous growths of the whole vineyard region ». The Grand Cru Rangen de Thann, is situated at the exit of the valley, overlooking the village of Thann with the river Thur passing at the foot of the slope.