Pinot Blanc W-S 2024

The Pinot Blanc W-S 2024 is a dry white wine from Alsace, slender in build and geared towards freshness. At 12.5% ABV it stays light-bodied, with the fruit deferring to the structure. A wine with nothing to prove and a great deal of drinkability.

Domaine Albert Mann is based in Wettolsheim and farms 25 hectares spread across nearly a hundred parcels, including vines in six Grand Cru sites: Schlossberg, Hengst, Furstentum, Steingrubler, Pfersigberg and Wineck-Schlossberg. The estate has farmed biodynamically since 1997 and is Demeter-certified. On the steepest sites, horses work the vines instead of tractors, the soil isn't compacted, and the roots reach deeper.

A single-varietal Pinot Blanc, also known as Weissburgunder in Alsace. The work is shared between two brothers-in-law: Jacky Barthelmé tends the vineyards, Maurice Barthelmé the cellar. What they've learned over the decades is above all which grape variety belongs on which parcel. Not a formula, but observation. Antoine, the son, now works alongside them.

A juicy opening of green apple and ripe pear, followed by delicate floral notes. The acidity is finely etched and carries the wine, a subtle richness rounds it out, and the finish stays dry and clean. A mineral echo rather than fruity sweetness.

The switch to biodynamics in 1997 struck many at the time as eccentric. In 2012, Maurice and Jacky Barthelmé were named Winemakers of the Year. Their philosophy runs through the whole range: force nothing, observe, respond.