M. Chapoutier : Riesling "Lieu-dit Fels" Domaine Schieferkopf 2025

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Riesling "Lieu-dit Fels" Domaine Schieferkopf 2025 by M. Chapoutier

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a clear, bright hue, suggesting freshness and elegance.

Nose

Slightly lactic, the nose gradually opens with aromas of citrus and lychee, enhanced by a subtle menthol note.

Palate

Full and harmonious, the palate extends the menthol notes perceived on the nose. It unfolds into a long finish, marked by beautiful minerality.

A fresh and beautifully elegant Alsace Riesling

The estate

Founded in 1808 in the Rhône Valley, the Maison M. Chapoutier has distinguished itself through its pioneering commitment to biodynamics, initiated by Michel Chapoutier as early as 1990. Eager to highlight unique terroirs, he established himself in Alsace in 2006 to found Domaine Schieferkopf, covering five hectares. Today, Michel, Corinne, Mathilde, and Maxime Chapoutier jointly manage the estate, continuing an environmentally respectful approach focused on the faithful expression of soils, through precise parcel selections and braille labels.

The vineyard

Located in Bernardvillé in Alsace, the Lieu-dit Fels parcel covers just 0.8 hectares. This singular terroir rises to 380 meters in altitude, on steep southeast-facing slopes. Its uniqueness lies in its very shallow soil composed of a rare vein of blue schist dating back to the Precambrian. Cultivated using organic and biodynamic practices, the vines send their roots deep into this rock, benefiting from a windy microclimate and cool nights that promote grape concentration.

The vintage

The 2025 vintage is characterized by great earliness, linked to a warm and dry spring and early summer, followed by a cooler and wetter end of the season. After a winter favorable to water reserves, the vine experienced rapid development, despite yields limited by the small size of the grape clusters. Rainfall at the end of July accelerated ripening, allowing harvest to begin as early as September 16. The wines stand out for their finesse, precision, and tension, with beautiful aromatic intensity and well-preserved minerality.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are hand-harvested in small crates. In the cellar, the Riesling "Lieu-dit Fels" Domaine Schieferkopf undergoes extended pressing for approximately eight hours, followed by static cold settling. Fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts and continues with full malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged on lees for fifteen months in large traditional wooden vats, refining the texture while preserving freshness.

Grape variety

The "Lieu-dit Fels" Domaine Schieferkopf 2025 by M. Chapoutier is made exclusively from Riesling.