Domaine Bott-Geyl Alsace Grand Cru Schlossberg Riesling 2019 (13.5% ABV) – 89
SR | This 2019 Schlossberg Riesling opens with some (less exuberant) Gewurztraminer aromatics and remains a bit closed on the nose for the first few moments. The nose is otherwise clear, fresh, and flinty, reminiscent of broken stones and herbs, and integrates the generous fruit aromas of litchee, roses, and mango perfectly. On the palate, this is a rich and generous yet elegant, off-dry or demi-sec Schlossberg Grand Cru, with a delicate and playful acidity, very fine-grained tannins, and a long, saline, and savory finish. Impressive, yet it needs time to develop its talents. Surely a long-distance runner that should further improve with bottle age. 93
AJ | Bright pale gold with silver glints. Slightly biscuity, malty, earthy scents as first poured: unclassical. Let's take a later look. Ten minutes later, it is much the same. As with [Domaine Trapet Schlossberg Riesling 2020], this is a decent-enough Riesling, but it doesn't have the precision, finesse, character, and concentration to quite justify its grand cru status or honor the Schlossberg name (for me). Attractive fruits, nonetheless, and I would be happy to pass the evening with this wine before too long. 85
AR | Pale, bright lemon in color, this has a distinctively sweet acridity of aroma—i.e. you can actually smell both sweet and sour—with an apricot-like background. There's light spritz when you taste, and a sweetly ripe opulence to the yellow fruit, which is ripe, full-bodied, and ever so slightly grippy and dry on the finish. 89