OSTERTAG

by Dixon Brooke

It is always an honor to write a few words describing the masterpieces of the brilliant André Ostertag. I am particularly fired up about our recently arrived selection of his wines that showcases both his versatility as a winemaker and, more importantly, that of his vineyard holdings in the Vosges Mountains. These are truly great bottles of white wine, among the best in the world.

2009 RIESLING “FRONHOLZ”

The quartz subsoil routinely gives a chiseled wine of sublime nerve and high-toned purity. The 2009 vintage offers the most generous Fronholz in recent memory.

$36.00 per bottle $388.80 per case

2009 RIESLING
“MUENCHBERG” GRAND CRU

André’s Muenchberg is his pièce de resistance. In my experience, grand cru rarely realizes its full potential and only rises above the crowd in the hands of a true master. Deep, reflective, powerful yet graceful, this is always a tour de force.

$49.00 per bottle $529.20 per case

2009 RIESLING “HEISSENBERG”

Heissenberg is like an explosion from a geyser or volcano—a kaleidoscope of colors, flavors, and textures, none of them fruity. It is a message directly from the earth, translated through the grape and the hand of man.

$36.00 per bottle $388.80 per case

2009 PINOT GRIS “FRONHOLZ”

Fronholz may be the perfect site for fans of dry Pinot Gris. The translation of the generosity of Pinot Gris grown in Alsace through the restrained, austere lens of the Fronholz vineyard is nothing short of brilliant.

$50.00 per bottle $540.00 per case

2010 PINOT GRIS “A360P” GRAND CRU

I always monitor the rack on the wall of our retail store for last of bins, and once in a while I’ll locate undiscovered treasures. The best find of the year so far? Six bottles of this same wine . . . but the 2004 vintage! Dry, peaty, luscious, deep, and complex, a glorious bottle. Named after the exact location of the parcel, A360P comes from the Muenchberg vineyard—a grand example of Pinot Gris. Age it if you can.

$70.00 per bottle $756.00 per case

2007 RIESLING
“MUENCHBERG” GRAND CRU
VENDANGES TARDIVES

Three Muenchbergs is better than two, n’est-ce pas? The vintage was cool and sunny in Alsace. Here is its greatest varietal, one of its greatest terroirs. Harvested as late as possible for maximum flavor concentration. Just imagine it, could you? Guaranteed fireworks.

$84.00 per bottle $907.20 per case