Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal 2021

A dry Pinot Gris from Alsace that brings together richness and salinity: stimulating and charming at once. The saline note gives it finesse and freshness, while the long finish points to excellent ageing potential.

The Clos Jebsal lies directly below the Grand Cru Brand near Turckheim. A geological fault separates the primary-era granite of the Brand from the secondary-era gypsum marls of the Keuper. The clos covers 1.3 hectares on a very steep south-facing slope, where the grapes ripen quickly. In the lower section and on the terraces, the marl soil is deep and cool; in the upper section, limestone comes through more strongly.

Léonard Humbrecht replanted the clos in the late 1970s, putting in Pinot Gris in 1983. Today the harvest takes place a full month earlier, and September temperatures are too high for noble rot to develop as beautifully as it did in October or November. Since 2020, the Clos Jebsal has therefore been producing very dry wines. Olivier Humbrecht, the first Frenchman to hold the Master of Wine title, converted the estate's first five hectares to biodynamic farming in 1996.

On the nose, intense yeasty spice, apple, quince, walnut and dried apricot. Then great richness and juicy fruit, carried by delicate salinity, invigorating acidity and a piquant tannin.

Torchon of foie gras with apricots and sesame crunch, lamb skewers with pomelo-yoghurt sauce, or goat's cheese with apple and wild herb salad, with roasted walnuts. Acidity and salinity set an invigorating freshness against the rich dishes.

13.0% ABV, made dry. If opening the bottle now, decant for around two hours and pour not too cold, in large Burgundy glasses.