94 David Schildknecht - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"An ethereal aroma of chamomile, gentian, honey, and herbal distillates in the 2004 Grasberg leads to a palate similarly brimming with floral and herbal as well as chalky mineral essence, citrus and honey. This finishes with wafting refinement and ravishing length. Much of the building material of Bergheim was quarried from this site, and one cannot help but imagine that this wine, too, will weather very slowly."

"Back in the days when Deiss harvested an extremely austere Riesling here, that wine nearly always, eventually, put on a terrific show. Now that there is a mix of vines suited to what he calls “the corset of this terroir” ... watch out!" 94 Points - David Schildknecht - Wine Advocate

"Very pale, bright color. Pungent, ethereal aromas of grapefruit zest, lemon, dusty stone, fresh herbs and minerals. Densely packed and vibrant, with lipsmacking flavors of crystallized lemon peel and grapefruit, complicated by a suggestion of exotic fruits. Very suave wine with a terrific impression of energy, thanks to its exhilarating sugar/acid balance. Long finish of dusty stone." 92 Points - Stephen Tanzer - International Wine Cellar

"A firm white, with fresh acidity and flavors of dried apricot, golden raisin, dried herb and smoke. Well-defined and integrated, with a lingering finish. Riesling with Pinot Gris. Drink now through 2020. 200 cases imported." 90 Points - Wine Spectator

WINE:
"Great fruity white wine, very complex and long, marked by the poor limestone of the great oolite, where the vines have to dig deep to find the energy they need. Grasberg wine has the tautness and complexity of that initiatory quest. The nose is an explosion of citrus jam, blood oranges and fresh mint leaves and precedes a taste that is entirely built on the tart energy of large very ripe citrus fruit. The length of the softer final note gives out uncommon vitality. This wine will go wonderfully with quality fish and all dishes that call for lemon. Decant before serving." -Winemaker

VITICULTURE:
"This wine comes from grapes grown on the Grasberg site near BERGHEIM. This site, at an altitude of 280 m is located at the top of the hillock which bears the Grand Cru ALTENBERG on its south-facing slope. It has an east-facing exposure and lies on top of a layer of hard, compact limestone know as "Greater Oolithic". The subsoil is rather shallow and light, very calcareous and of a reddish colour (iron), containing mainly coarse limestone blocks, but no clay at all. This soil is not very fertile as its incapacity to retain water is an impediment to good plant growth : the only plants which succeed in adapting to this most peculiar environment are : parasol pines, a type of short grass mixed with lichen, and .... the vine." -Winemaker

ESTATE:
"The extreme variation in conditions of production at the domaine have led Jean-Michel DEISS to seek to express in each wine the three factors that make a wine complete : the grape variety, the vintage and the terroir. The greater the wine, the more the gustatory characteristics linked to the soil take the place of the typicity linked to grape variety or vintage."

"When speaking of terroir, the following have to be taken into consideration : geology, pedology, climate and microclimate, technical exploitation of the character of the soil, microfauna and flor, and the traditional methods and techniques used to produce wines."

"A fascination with medieval history and a desire to produce world class Vins de Garde were the impetus behind Jean-Michel DEISS quest for excellence from his Alsace vineyards. His commitment and personal integrity have led him to the conclusion that, as in most other parts of France, it is the dedicated nurturing of vines in specific terroirs which produces wines of unique distinction, originality, and authenticity." -Winery