Dirler-Cadé : Riesling Grand cru "Kitterlé" Élément Terre 2023

The mineral precision of a white wine from Alsace

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Riesling Grand Cru "Kitterlé" Élément Terre 2023 from Dirler-Cadé

Tasting

Color
A pale gold hue enhanced by bright yellow highlights characterizes this wine.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with citrus notes, dominated by grapefruit, lemon, and yuzu zest. It then reveals a mineral, stony dimension, complemented by delicate touches of white flowers and subtle vegetal nuances.

Palate
The attack is dense and fleshy, introducing an incisive mid-palate that may show a slight spritz. The grainy texture highlights a lovely salinity and great precision. The remarkably long finish stretches out on noble bitter notes that lend definition to the whole.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs perfectly with seafood such as lemon-marinated anchovies, skate salad, plancha-grilled lobster, or ceviche. It also goes wonderfully with poultry in a creamy lemon sauce, asparagus risotto, as well as cheeses such as fresh goat cheese, Munster, or Comté. For dessert, a lemon tart will echo its aromatic profile.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate this 2023 vintage, it is recommended to serve it between 8 and 10°C in classic white wine glasses. The estate advises against decanting in order to preserve the delicacy of its aromas. This wine can be enjoyed now, but it will continue to evolve favorably until around 2036.

The estate

Founded in 1871 by Jean Dirler, the Dirler-Cadé estate is a historic figure of the Alsace vineyard. The current entity was born in 2000, following the 1998 marriage of Jean Dirler and Ludivine Hell-Cadé, thus uniting the lands of both families. Today, they, representing the fifth generation, run this 18-hectare estate, a large part of which is classified as Grand Cru. Pioneers of sustainable viticulture, they have applied the principles of biodynamics since 1998. The estate stands out for its commitment to letting the terroir and the vintage dictate the identity of its wines.

The vineyard

Located in Alsace, the Grand Cru Kitterlé spans particularly steep hillsides, forming slopes of up to 45 degrees. This demanding terrain requires terracing supported by dry stone walls, where plowing is sometimes carried out with draft horses. Facing south, southeast, and southwest, the vines benefit from optimal sun exposure at altitudes ranging from 270 to 360 meters. The soils consist of a complex geological mosaic, blending sandstone, quartz, conglomerates, and sandy volcanic sediments, encouraging deep rooting of the vines.

The vintage

The year 2023 began with a mild, dry winter, followed by a warmer, rainier spring, allowing soil water reserves to be replenished. From late May onward, a long period of drought and intense heat set in, with a historically hot June. In midsummer, powdery mildew pressure required increased vigilance. August brought welcome rains before véraison. Finally, an exceptionally warm and sunny September ensured optimal ripening of the berries until the manual harvest, carried out under dry conditions.

Winemaking and aging

The philosophy in the cellar aims to be as non-interventionist as possible in crafting this wine. After manual harvesting at optimal ripeness, the grapes undergo gentle pressing to limit the extraction of phenolic compounds. Fermentation starts naturally thanks to indigenous yeasts, with no temperature control, and stops on its own.

Grape variety

100% Riesling