Josmeyer - Gewurztraminer Folatries

Cushioned between the rolling vineyards of Wintzenheim, near Colmar, Domaine Josmeyer has been a pioneer in biodynamics since 2000 under the leadership of the late Jean Meyer. It is now run by his daughters, Isabelle and Céline. The estate is spread over 90 plots including the Hengst and Brand Grands Crus. Crafted with minimum intervention, the wines are delicate, deep, balanced, with a dry edge allowing minerality to shine through. The Artist Series are produced from the valley on alluvial soil: they are elegant, soft and voluptuous. The calcareous and marl soils of Hengst vineyard delivers rich and full-bodied whites while the deep granite soils of Brand deliver incisive and fine structured cuvées. Both Grand Crus are shaped to age gracefully.

Biodynamic. The old Gewurztraminer vines are rooted in the Herrenweg of Turckheim: the flat alluvial deposits of the Fecht river which are rich in clay, sand, shingle, silt, with a high incidence of pebbles and frequent plates of loess. Similar to the soil of Graves, this terroir offers aromatic, ripe, voluptuous and elegant wines. Named after the 16th century collection of poems the Livret de Folastries or «Book of Follies» by French Poet Ronsard. Hand harvested. Natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Aged 12 months on the lees in large century old foudres. RS 2g/l.

Biodynamic. On the nose, classic varietal notes of lychee combine with north African spices like cardamom, coriander and clove. The palate is drier than the nose would indicate, very spicy but supremely fresh, precise, a style which typifies the Josmeyer estate and the elegance and freshness makes it superb with food.