Domaine André Kientzler (Certified Organic)

The Kientzler domaine is a small, 5th generation family-run estate spread out over the villages of Ribeauvillé, Bergheim, Hunawihr and Riquewihr. The vineyard consists of 13.8 hectares of vines, of which 4.4 hectares are classified Grand Cru. Riesling and Gewürztraminer make up about half of the family’s vineyards, and five other varieties also contribute to the Domaine’s output of approximately 6,000 cases per year. The winemakers’ passion for dry and gastronomic wines is revealed in each and every vintage.

Domaine Kientzler produces several different grape varietals:

-0.53 acres of Chasselas
-0.59 acres of Sylvaner
-2.53 acres of Pinot Blanc
-0.85 acres of Muscat
-4.24 acres of Riesling
-1.87 acres of Pinot Gris
-3.19 acres of Gewurztraminer

The distribution of Grand Cru varietals (4.4 hectares) are as follows:

-1.5 ha located on the Geisberg Hill: 95% Riesling, 5% Pinot Gris.
-1.63 ha on the hillside of Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé : Muscat, Riesling, Auxerrois, and Pinot Gris.
-1.15 ha on the Osterberg Hill: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris.
-0.12 ha on the Schoenenbourg: Riesling.

80% of the vines are over 35 years old, and 10% are over 80 years old. These mature vines are carefully maintained to extend their lifespan as long as possible. Like some wines, vines improve with age; the resulting grapes build up a natural balance between sweetness and acidity. Stronger, older plants are less sensitive to disease and rot, and they have denser, deeper roots which provide better protection against drought and floods.

The winemakers at Domaine Kientzler have mastered the art of quality vine growing. When a vine dies out, replanting takes place. In order to improve the quality of the grapes, every new vine stock is carefully selected. Each graft is chosen from a different vine stock (massale selection) in order to maintain genetic diversity, which enables a better adaptation to changes in vintage.

Domaine Kientzler is certified organic as of the 2023 vintage.

The soils are a mix of limestone, marl and sandstone.

Alcohol: 12%

Tasting Notes: Pale lemon-gold in color. The aromas are fresh and delicate, with hints of green apple and honeydew melon. The palate is remarkably fresh, fruity, and zesty, supported by a soft acidity and notes of fennel and ginger.  These flavors blend harmoniously, and crescendo to a fine mineral finish.

Serving Suggestion: To be consumed within 5 years of the vintage to preserve its fresh and fruity qualities.

Food Pairings: Pairs well with pate, terrine, broiled or grilled fish, roast pork with sauerkraut, etc.

Average Age of the Vines: 35 years old

Style: Medium Sweet

Alcohol: 13.0%

Winemaker Tasting Notes: “Intense and exotic flavors support a very fine fruity foundation. The palate is soft, dense, tasty, and slightly dry on the tongue. The spicy profile and fine bitterness give length, elegance and vivacity.”

Serving Suggestion: Drink within 5 years of vintage to preserve all its freshness and fruity notes.

Vineyard Area: 24.6 hectares

Orientation: The Osterberg Grand Cru is nestled on a slight slope set towards the east, south-east.

Terroir: Calcareous marl sandstone

Grape Varieties Planted: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurtztraminer

Plant Density: 5,500 plants/hectare

Harvest: Grape picking takes place late in the year, taking advantage of the cold breeze blowing from the village of Aubure

Alcohol: 13%

Winemaker Tasting Notes: “Its bouquet has various expressions that speak with generosity. On the palate, ample and elegant fruit combine with a powerful minerality to create a demi-sec equilibrium. Long, persistent finesse. The natural tension of the Osterberg combines wonderfully with the generosity of the Gewurztraminer.”

Serving Suggestion: Drink young to experience its freshness and aromatic generosity. 5 to 10 years age will reveal dimension and mineral complexity. The longer this wine ages, the more it increases in dryness and reveals all characteristics of the terroir.

Grape Varieties: 50% Muscat d’Alsace, 50% Muscat Ottonel grapes; Muscat d’Alsace lends aromatic power, and Muscat Ottonel brings subtlety and precision.

Alcohol: 12.5%

Winemaker Tasting Notes: “Very aromatic, it perfectly expresses the flavor of fresh fruit. The palate consists of a perfect dry and salty crisp balance. An explosion of flavors combined with a subtle fruity touch makes this Muscat a perfect aperitif.”

Serving Suggestion: Drink within 5 years from vintage to preserve all its freshness and fruit.

Vineyard Area: 11.40 hectares

Orientation: The Kirchberg Grand Cru de Ribeauvillé is located on a fairly steep hillside, facing south, south-west with a terrace at the top with a cooler climate.

Terroir: Marl and sandstone completed by a streak of limestone

Climate: Of the 3 great Grands Crus of the district, the Kirchberg is the one which has the coolest climate and late vintage. It produces structured mineral wines, fine and refined, blended together with an outstanding salinity.

Grape Varieties Planted: Muscat, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer

Plant Density: 5,500 plants/hectare

Grape Blend: 100% Muscat Ottonel

Alcohol: 13%

Winemaker Tasting Notes: “Beautiful aromatic expression, refined without exuberance. Elegant and complex palate, structured by high salinity. A refined final touch and a soft bitterness gives extra length. The expression of Muscat is very subtle, whilst mineral character predominates.”

Serving Suggestion: When tasted in its youth, its crisp and aromatic generosity come to the fore.  5 to 10 years of cellaring will reveal dimension and mineral complexity.

Style: Dry wine

Alcohol: 13.5%

Average Age of the Vines: 35 years old

Tasting Notes: Fresh bouquet, floral and harmonious. Dry and well-balanced on the palate, with fragrant fruity notes on the finish.

Serving Suggestion: Drink within 5 years of the vintage to preserve all its freshness and fruit.

Tasting Notes: Intense and exotic aromas with notes of ripe nectarine and peach.  Ample on the palate with surprising acidity for a Pinot Gris.  Semi-dry.  Long, mineral finish.

Serving Suggestion: To be drunk when young to appreciate its freshness and aromatic generosity.

Cellaring: 5-10 years; the longer it ages, the more it reveals its depth and mineral complexity.

Grape Varieties: 100% Auxerrois *The Alsatian Pinot may be composed of Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, or a blend of both varietals. The Pinot Blanc grapes produce a tightly structured wine, whereas Auxerre wines are softer textured.

Average Age of the Vines: 35 years old

Alcohol: 12.5%

Winemaker Tasting Notes: “A pure and delicate full fruited Pinot, with a lot of flexibility, balanced out with a dry touch. Pinot Blanc is a pleasant wine that agrees with a wide range of dishes. It is also a get-together wine enticed by its aromatic generosity and its nice fresh fruity taste.”

Serving Suggestion: Drink within 5 years of vintage to preserve all its freshness and fruit.

Grape Varieties: 100% Riesling

Average Age of the Vines: 30 years

Alcohol Content: 13%

Tasting Notes: A fine bouquet enhances the delicately fruity mineral shades. The palate is tight, straightforward and pure. This sophisticated Riesling is structured by a chiseled acidity, giving dimension to the wine.

Serving Suggestion: Drink within 5 years from vintage to preserve all its freshness and fruit.

Overview: The Riesling is produced from estate’s best terroirs in Ribeauvillé.  It was previously called the Réserve Particulière.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Tasting Notes: Elegant floral and mineral notes in the bouquet.  On the palate, it is dense and frank yet supple and possesses great finesse.  Fruity with mineral notes complemented by a vibrant acidity.  Good structure, purity, and length.

Serving Suggestion: Can be consumed young to enjoy all of the fresh fruity qualities of this wine, or within 5-10 years for a more complex flavor profile.

Vineyard Area: 24.6 hectares

Orientation: The Osterberg Grand Cru is nestled on a slight slope set towards the east, south-east.

Terroir: Calcareous marl sandstone

Grape Varieties Planted: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurtztraminer

Plant Density: 5,500 plants/hectare

Harvest: Grape picking takes place late in the year, taking advantage of the cold breeze blowing from the village of Aubure

Alcohol: 13%

Winemaker Tasting Notes: “Rich and varied aromatic notes of white fruit and flowers, supported by a powerful mineral structure. Straightforward and sincere palate with a tight, chiseled acidity. The beautiful taste spectrum and precise structure express the natural elegance of Riesling. Superb tension with length and accuracy, giving a unique persistance to the wine.”

Serving Suggestion: Drink immediately to enjoy its freshness and aromatic generosity. After 5 to 10 years, the wine will grow in dimension and mineral complexity.

Vineyard Area: Geisberg is one of the smallest plots (8.53 ha), but also one of the most homogeneous Grand Crus of the region.

Orientation: The vines are planted in the direction of the slope in a southerly direction.

Terroir: The Geisberg Grand Cru consists of steeply sloped terraces separated by 2-3 meter high walls.  Limestone and sandstone soils.

Climate: The cool winds at night leaving the valley allow for a slow ripening process for the grapes.  The Vosges mountains protect the vines from damp winds coming from the northwest.

Grape Varieties: 100% Riesling

Average Age of the Vines: 50 years old

Plant Density: 6,500 plants/hectare

Alcohol: 13.5%

Winemaker Tasting Notes: “Intense bouquet with a rich and varied aromatic scale, marked by an amazing mineral depth and overall refinement. Texture both ample and precise, with a unique dimension on tasting. The powerful and profound mineral intensity is coupled with a mature and precise acidity. Palate with great tension, intense brightness and purity. The overall framework conveys length, elegance and refinement.”

Serving Suggestion:  This wine can be consumed in its youth to appreciate its freshness and aromatic generosity.  Keeping for 5-10 years will reveal its dimension and mineral complexity.  Beyond this time, it will fully reveal the brilliance of a Grand Cru.

Overview: “La Soif” is a brand new wine that Domaine Kientzler has been working to cultivate for a number of years. The goal was to create an Alsace wine that is all-around usable for food, but which can also be enjoyed on its own.

Grape Varieties: 50% Chasselas, 25% Riesling, 15% Muscat, 10% Auxerrois

Average Age of the Vines: 35 years and older

Vinification: In stainless steel tanks, 8 months on lies.

Tasting Notes: This is a dry blended wine – the palate has the right balance of fruit and liveliness, which gives a nice impression of freshness. It is a wine with really fine and diverse aromas and with notes of bright, white fruits.

Food Pairings: Recommended for seafood. It is also a lovely wine to enjoy without food!

Serving Suggestion: Drink within the first 5 years after harvest. The serving temperature should be 8 – 10 degrees.

Alcohol: 13%

Grape Varieties: 100% Auxerrois; 2/3 of the grapes from Grand Cru Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé

Aging: 30 months on lies

Production: 3,000 bottles

Tasting Notes: Frank and pure aromas with mineral, white floral, unripe lemon, and pippin notes.  Elegant and slender mouth, with lively bubbling, and with a vivid and refreshing finish.

Serving Suggestion: Drink within 5 years of the disgorgement to preserve the freshness and fruity qualities of the wine. Pairs well with cold appetizers made with veggies, terrines, and fresh goat cheese.

Alcohol: 12%

Grape Varieties: 100% Auxerrois; more than 40% of the grapes from Grand Cru Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé

Vinification: 35 months on the lees

Tasting Notes: Frank and pure aromas with mineral, white floral, unripe lemon, and pippin notes. Elegant and slender mouth, with lively bubbling, and with a vivid and refreshing finish.

Serving Suggestion: Drink within 5 years of the disgorgement to preserve the freshness and fruity qualities of the wine. Pairs well with cold appetizers made with veggies, terrines, and fresh goat cheese.

Alcohol: 12%