Jean Boxler lives at the foot of the Sommerberg grand cru, where he tends most of his family’s vineyard parcels, including the young-vine riesling that went into this blend. The domaine also extends to the Brand grand cru, which provided the pinot gris for this wine. Each vintage of Boxler’s Edelzwicker Réserve is a different blend, this one including some pinot blanc and sylvaner with the riesling and pinot gris. He ferments it without added yeasts in old foudres, where the wine also ages. Hold onto your seat if you are expecting a simple quaffing wine from this Edelzwicker. This one is all about dynamic mineral power, its richness superseding the fruit and lasting with intensity. Alex Mares of Eleven Madison Park found a subtle shiso note in the acidity, and it’s easy to imaging this in a Zen pairing with sushi.
Product Description:
"As is typical in Alsace, Jean Boxler makes almost every one of his thirty or so cuvées from a single grape variety, ranging from 100% Riesling to 100% Pinot Noir. The Edelzwicker, by contrast, is a rare blend (one of two produced by Boxler) and often features fruit from his grand cru parcels. He says, “To find the right balance for the Edelzwicker Réserve, I cannot hesitate to steal from my more prestigious cuvées.” Think of this bottling as his musical supergroup. Its purpose is to showcase what an Alsatian white tastes like when some of the region’s best grapes—which usually shine on their own—come together and harmonize. The result is a floral, luscious, and medium-bodied masterpiece, with notes of orchard fruit and tangerine. Incredibly versatile at table, it would be a match made in heaven with Chris Lee’s soufflé or a baked fish with grilled vegetables, but it would also complement a variety of Chinese, Indian, or Thai dishes that have a little spice." -Importer
