Albert Boxler : Pinot Gris Grand cru "Brand" 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for Albert Boxler Pinot Gris Grand Cru "Brand" 2021

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep golden-yellow hue, clear and brilliant.

Nose

The nose reveals a complex, mineral bouquet marked by aromas of stone, smoke and smoked bacon. Fresh notes of lemon bring vibrancy, while nuances of baked pear and gingerbread gradually emerge with aeration.

Palate

On the palate, the wine shows a rounded richness with flavors of dried and baked pear alongside fresh fruit. A subtle influence of noble botrytis adds spicy touches and extra complexity. The generous texture unfolds seamlessly, supported by fine mineral tension. The finish, of remarkable length, offers a measured sweetness that harmonizes perfectly with the wine’s roundness and generosity.

Food and wine pairings

This Pinot Gris Grand Cru pairs ideally with roasted white meats such as poultry or guinea fowl. It also matches beautifully with Alsatian choucroute garnie, dishes featuring wild mushrooms such as porcini risotto, as well as soft cheeses like Munster. Smoked fish and charcuterie assortments also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

Pinot Gris Grand Cru "Brand" 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. Its balanced structure and aromatic complexity give it excellent aging potential in the cellar.

An Alsace Grand Cru Pinot Gris combining granite-driven minerality and aromatic generosity

The estate

The Domaine Albert Boxler, founded in 1946 in Niedermorschwihr in Alsace, now spans around 13.8 hectares of vineyards. Although the Boxler family has been established in the region since 1672, it was Albert Boxler who, upon returning from the United States, decided to market the wines under the estate’s name. Today, Jean Boxler, the founder’s grandson, has run the estate since 1996, perpetuating a philosophy centered on meticulous handwork and the authentic expression of granitic terroirs. His son Louis has recently joined the operation, representing the eleventh family generation. The estate has practiced organic farming since 2003 and stands out for wines of great mineral purity, recognized among the benchmarks of wine-growing Alsace.

The vineyard

Pinot Gris Grand Cru "Brand" 2021 comes from two distinct parcels located in the heart of Alsace Grand Cru Brand, in Turckheim. The first parcel was planted in 1969, the second in 1990. This grand cru benefits from a south-facing exposure, encouraging optimal ripening. The granitic soils, enriched with clay elements and occasional limestone veins, give the wines aromatic generosity while preserving their hallmark minerality. The Brand’s warmer microclimate, compared with other sites in the region, makes it possible to reach full phenolic ripeness. The vines are worked entirely by hand on these steep slopes, with yields strictly limited to thirty to thirty-five hectoliters per hectare to ensure concentration and quality.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Alsace began with a harsh winter followed by a mild spring that encouraged early budbreak. Summer proved challenging, with rainy, humid conditions lasting through August, creating significant disease pressure in the vineyards. Fortunately, September brought a providential Indian summer with sunny days and cool nights. These conditions allowed the grapes to complete their ripening while maintaining bright acidity and pure aromas. This favorable end to the season transformed an initially worrying vintage into a high-quality harvest, producing elegant, mineral wines with excellent aging potential.

Winemaking and aging

After hand-harvesting at optimal ripeness, the Pinot Gris Grand Cru "Brand" 2021 grapes were gently pressed for eight to fourteen hours using pneumatic presses. Following cold settling, fermentation started spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts in old, century-old foudres. The wine then rested on fine lees for around eleven months, developing texture and complexity without bâtonnage. All wine movements were carried out by gravity to preserve the purity of the fruit. Only a minimal amount of sulfur was added at bottling, in keeping with the estate’s minimal-intervention philosophy.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Gris