Ostertag - Sylvaner Vieilles Vignes
Since taking over the family farm in 1980, André Ostertag has brought this small property in the village of Epfig to the summits of Alsatian wine, becoming an icon in the world of biodynamic farming and a valiant ambassador of terroir-driven natural wines in the process. Now officially retired, André has passed this legendery estate to his son, Arthur.
The estate is spread over 15 hectares. In an act of rejection against the official classifications dictated by the A.O.C., Ostertag made up their own categories:
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- Vins de Fruit that express fruit character rather than that of a specific vineyard site;
- Vins de Pierre reflecting the terroir from which they originate;
- Vins de Temps that rely on time and weather to encourage the development of botrytis.
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Biodynamic. Sylvaner - 60+yrs old average vines - Vin de Fruit. Although Sylvaner has a reputation of huge yield grape, Ostertag never exceeds 60Hl/ha. Blend of plots from Epfig (loess-silt soils) and Nothalten (with lighter granite-sandstone soils). Vinified separately and reassembled before bottling. The whole bunches are pressed gently and slowly using an pneumatic press, and ferment in stainless steel with the natural yeasts. The wine is kept for one year on its lees. Aged in tanks.
The 2022 Sylvaner Vieilles Vines is from vines up to 85 years old. They are grown in sandstone, loess and marl. The nose is uncommonly fruity, showing ripe, juicy Mirabelle against a smooth backdrop of yeast. The palate is rounded, still unusually expressive of ripe Mirabelle plums, defined by round freshness and finishing on a textural note of slightly bitter plum skin. There is just a touch of heat on the finish. (Bone-Dry)
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