Pierre Frick 2007 Riesling Vorbourg Grand Cru

Region: 

Alsace

Country: 

France

Cultivation: 

Biodynamic

Alcohol: 

13.5 %

Closure: 

Crown cap

Size: 

750 ml

Price: 

$25

Tasted: 

21 August 2011

Pierre Frick's 2007 Riesling Vorbourg slapped me in the face - it is fiercely refreshing, which is not a common trait amongst Alsatian Rieslings these days. But 2007 is one of the finest vintages in Alsace in the last decade. The temperatures during the summer months were moderate and allowed for a long ripening period while the grapes managed to retain acidity. The Vorbourg vineyard near Rouffach has a south to south-east exposure and due to two prominent summits of the Vosges mountain range it is one of the driest spots in Alsace. The grapes ripen early and thus keep more of their acidity.

The wine has a nice pale straw color. The nose has a medium intensity of bruised apple, apple peel and white pepper. Very vivid and lively aroma. Dry on the palate, high acidity. The alcohol is relatively high - not out-of-balance, but definitely noticeable. The Vorbourg had spicy apple and woodruff flavors with a lively peppery finish and a medium(+) length.

I had this biodynamic Riesling at an Alsatian Riesling tasting a couple of days before where it tasted very different and not nearly as exciting as the one I opened today. Which reminded me of the knowledgable sales person at Chambers Street Wines, who had told me that with Frick one often encounters significant bottle variation. This was certainly true with the 2007 Vorbourg. Also unusual is the closure: crown cap (see inlet on the bottle label).