Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Les Princes Abbes

Description

Domaines Schlumberger was founded in 1810, when Nicolas Schlumberger established his vineyards on the renowned, sunny slopes above the town of Guebwiller. With a holding of more than 140 hectares of vineyards, Domaines Schlumberger are not only the largest owners of vineyards in Alsace, but also have the largest Grand Cru area. Their vineyards cover nine kilometres along the south facing slopes of the Vosges Mountains, maximising the sunshine, and include four Grand Cru sites which represent more than 50% of the domaine. Yields are kept deliberately low, often a necessity on the steeper slopes of light sandy soil which can be as much as 60º. The vines are horizontally planted in rows protected by 50 kilometres of dry-stone walls to prevent soil erosion. The terraced slopes of Grand Cru Kitterlé (The Calf Breaker) face south-west, south and south-east on free-draining, sandy soils permitting yields of only 25hl/ha. Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Les Princes Abbés, named after the Prince Abbots who owned the vineyard from the 9th to the 18th century, is Schlumberger’’s classic range of Alsace varietals, like all their wines, is sourced from their own vineyards. In fact, fruit is sourced from younger vines from their Grand Cru vineyards. Fruit for Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Les Princes Abbes is mainly planted in the Bollenberg plot and also in the Grand Cru vineyards of Saering and Kessler. Some younger vines are planted in the Grand Cru Kitterle plot. After slow pneumatic pressing the must is left to settle on the lees. Fermentation takes place in temperature controlled tuns for between 1 and 4 months. The wine is then left to age for a further 6 to 8 months on the lees. 100% Riesling