10 vintages Alsace

Always with the help of Jean-Michel Speicher, we review the last 10 vintages Alsace.
2004: After the extreme conditions encountered in 2003, on the vine-compensates. So after a mild winter and early spring sullen heat Returnees to fear that the new heat wave. But the rains from mid-June are back confidence, especially as yields ahead generous. Maturation will then continue normally through the many passages interspersed with rainy periods throughout the summer sun.


However from October, in the heart of the harvest for rain will prevent the completion of perfect maturity. The malic acidity are often among those who harvested too early. The Riesling does not have an extensive and often suffer from a lack of consistency, but this vintage is now at its peak produced mainly fresh wines, a bit cramped with occasional roots, but tastes of good quality. A difficult year for Pinot Black with numerous outbreaks of rot which required a lot of sort. Few late harvest by reason of the unfavorable conditions of the end of October.

2003: Even those who are not interested in wine will remember 2003 as the year of the terrible heat wave that hit Europe during the summer months. Already in spring temperatures had caused an exceptional bloom very early and very quickly the deficiency hydrometry added to the heat caused blockages of maturity. The harvest took place very early, on Sept. 8 for the Grands Crus. The distinctive wines of this vintage is the lack of acidity and aromas of cooked fruit that usually found. The lack of freshness and honesty gives a highly atypical in this vintage.

It must however admit that the guard refines and reduces the character a little soft and warm discovered during the initial marketing of wines. The Pinot Noirs are doing well in these extreme conditions with perfectly healthy grapes but of course profiles built more on power than finesse. Note also yields lower, with a harvest shortfall of almost 20% on average.

2002: This vintage that can be described as classic produces wines that have nothing flamboyant but not age well known evolutionary premature. After a harsh winter and a growing season that started slowly, has been found mixed with alternating passages rainy and beautiful day. The load was large enough to need preventive work to avoid too large yields. The harvest was disrupted by numerous showers but maturities have been well accomplished. The Rieslings are rights with which malic and tartaric acidity balances well bringing freshness. The wine cellar still always bring their fair share of fun and allow for even a glimpse of the most successful of them a bright future especially for Riesling.

2001: Vintage rather cold with a slow maturation and especially a beautiful late season. If we consider generally the production of this vintage as an average, which is true for the vast majority of wines, those who have to wait harvested Riesling quality quite exceptional mineral with expressions such as are found rarely and acidities of high quality.

The Late Harvest is also an appointment with the development of botrytis pretty late October. Until 2005 and especially 2008, have confirmed their potential in 2001 stands currently at the top of the decade Alsatian.

2000: We would have preferred this vintage is exceptional but not enough to repeat it in the press and the media to be true. Although maturities obtained were very satisfied, it must be admitted that the wines of this vintage have been, without exception, extremely rapid change. The very large volume of late harvest that was produced inspires the same as previously thought.

Reviewed by Jean-Michel Speicher