Dirler-Cadé : Riesling Grand cru "Saering" Vendanges Tardives 2015

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Riesling Grand Cru "Saering" Vendanges Tardives 2015 Dirler-Cadé

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a pale yellow hue with clear, bright highlights. The disc appears limpid and transparent, testifying to a carefully crafted vinification.

Nose
The nose reveals itself as clean and pleasant, with lovely intensity. It opens on dominant citrus notes, particularly yuzu zest and lime, accompanied by delicate white floral fragrances. A spicy touch of ginger adds complexity to the whole. With aeration, the bouquet is enriched with nuances of pear and a smoky minerality reminiscent of gunflint, lending remarkable freshness to the aromatic expression.

Palate
The attack on the palate is sleek and refined. The alcoholic structure lends body while preserving balance. The palate unfolds on a lively register, marked by a slight effervescence that adds vivacity. The citrus, yuzu, lime and pear aromas continue, accompanied by fine vegetal notes. White flowers and ginger persist, while a smoky mineral touch structures the whole. A subtle noble bitterness appears in the mid-palate. The finish stretches on for eight to nine caudalies, with strict vivacity and a persistent bitterness that underscore the wine's crystalline purity.

Food and wine pairing

This Riesling Grand Cru "Saering" Vendanges Tardives 2015 pairs perfectly with a platter of dry, mature goat cheeses. It also goes well with scallops with lemon, roasted langoustines or Asian dishes with sweet-and-sour flavours. For desserts, it beautifully complements strawberry tartlets, fresh pear preparations, apple tarts, crumbles, as well as apricot and passion fruit desserts.

Service and storage

The Riesling Grand Cru "Saering" Vendanges Tardives 2015 is best enjoyed at a temperature of between 8 and 10°C. This wine has remarkable ageing potential and can be kept until around 2036.

Other characteristics

This sweet white wine has an alcohol content of 13% vol. Made from late-harvest grapes, it expresses a lovely concentration while retaining its characteristic mineral freshness.

A sun-drenched, concentrated Riesling from Alsace's Grand Cru Saering

The estate

Founded in 1871 by Jean Dirler in Bergholtz, Domaine Dirler-Cadé has upheld a tradition of winemaking excellence for five generations. In 1998, the marriage of Jean Dirler and Ludivine Hell-Cadé brought together the two family estates, giving rise to the current Domaine Dirler-Cadé from the 2000 vintage onwards. Today, Jean and Ludivine Dirler run this eighteen-hectare estate located in Guebwiller, forty percent of which is classified as Grand Cru. Pioneers of biodynamics in Alsace, they have cultivated all their vines according to these principles since 1998, with Biodyvin certification. The estate stands out for its commitment to the authentic expression of Alsatian terroirs and recently earned a three-star distinction in the 2025 Revue du Vin de France Guide.

The vineyard

The Grand Cru Saering is located in Guebwiller, in Alsace, in a privileged setting at the entrance to the Florival valley. Its name evokes the presence of limestone sediments deposited during the Oligocene era. The terroir is characterised by marl-limestone-sandstone soil, facing east and southeast, benefiting from generous sunshine that promotes optimal grape ripening. This particular geology gives Saering wines their juicy, mouth-watering character, with volume and power. The vines are farmed biodynamically, with partial tilling in autumn and complete tilling in spring to encourage deep rooting, while summer cover cropping preserves biodiversity and limits erosion.

The vintage

The 2015 vintage began with a normal winter, dry and cold, followed by a mild, rainy spring favourable to the start of vegetative growth. The Riesling flowering took place amid high temperatures from mid-June to the end of July, facilitating vine development. August brought contrasts, with cooler temperatures in the latter half helping to preserve the berries' acidity. September proved exceptionally favourable, offering ideal conditions for ripening and the gradual development of noble rot. The dry winter, low spring and summer rainfall, combined with the perfect conditions in September, resulted in a very concentrated and healthy harvest.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Riesling Grand Cru "Saering" Vendanges Tardives 2015 were hand-harvested, with meticulous selection of bunches affected by noble rot. After gentle pneumatic pressing, the must underwent natural static settling. Fermentation was carried out using indigenous yeasts, respecting the natural expression of the terroir. The wine was then aged on the lees for eleven months, allowing it to develop aromatic complexity, enrich its texture and protect it from oxidation. This extended maturation on the lees contributes to the refinement and depth of this exceptional wine.

Grape variety

100% Riesling