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At the foot of the majestic Schlossberg hill, in a setting of vines and roses, the Domaine Weinbach "wine stream", named after the small stream that crosses it, was built in 1612 by the Capuchin monks. Sold as national property during the French Revolution, the Estate was acquired in 1898 by the Faller brothers who passed it on to their son and nephew Théo. A great figure in the Alsatian vineyard and ardent promoter of its recognition as an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, Théo Faller works for the quality of Alsace wines and the development of their incomparable terroirs and grape varieties. In love with his property, he develops it, enlarges it and embellishes it. From 1979, his wife Colette and his daughters Catherine and Laurence demonstrated the same passion for the great wines of Alsace and the same unfailing attachment to quality. Since 2016, Catherine Faller has been running the Domaine with her sons Eddy and Théo. Primarily responsible for the Weinbach we know today, Catherine Faller’s mother, Colette Faller, was one of the legends of Alsatian wine. Sadly, Madame Faller passed away in early 2015 and, like her daughter Laurence and husband Théo before her, is now immortalised by a wine bearing her name. This comes from 50-60-year-old vines in the Bonnes Terres terroir, lower down on the Schlossberg slope, where the soils are deeper and sandier. The fruit here also tends to be picked a touch later. Accordingly, the register of flavours here (running from white flowers through to tropical fruits and citrus fruit zest) is more intense, yet the wine balances its power with great freshness and verve. Even though it comes entirely from Schlossberg, some of the vines fall outside the Grand Cru boundary, which is why it cannot be labelled as a Grand Cru. The domaine has now applied for Premier Cru status. But no matter, it certainly offers Grand Cru quality in the glass. Raised for 14 months in old oak casks, it’s statuesque and full of life, packed with the joie de vivre of citrus and stone fruits, salty minerals and a flicker of white flowers. The texture is generous yet stony and compact, and the palate glows with energy and tension with tingling rocky minerality and a nip of bite on the lingering, mouth-watering finish. Biodynamic.

TRIMBACH Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling, Ribeauville

Gary Farr is Victorian wine royalty and is now making his By Farr wines in collaboration with his son, Nick. The results have been wines of utmost pedigree and character and this Viognier is no exception. While retaining the trademark complexity and palate texture, this Viognier has a wonderful floral lift and aromatic nature to it that makes it undeniably appealing to drink young.

Lanson Blanc de Blancs Champagne was created by winemaker Herve Dantan, when he joined the Lanson House back in 2013. It combines the freshness style of Lanson champagnes with the delicacy of the Chardonnay. The grapes come from the best Chardonnay crus in Champagne including Oger, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Vertux. It is made with 40% reserve wines from Grands and Premiers Crus matured in Oak Cask and gets aged for 5 years in the Lanson House cellars before getting released.Lanson Blanc de Blancs is a gold luminous champagne with fine and lively bubbles. The nose reveal aromas of fine pastry, frangipane notes, candied citrus and fresh pear. On the palate this champagne is precise and generous, with flavours of candied lemon, almond, nougat and honey and a long finish.

Rene Rostaing worked in real estate before turning his hand to wine in 1971, but it wasn't until 2000 that he devoted all his time to his estate. Today, he looks after 7.4 hectares across 14 lieux-dits and 20 separate plots in Côte Rôtie. Since 1996 he produces just three wines - the Classic from a blend of 11 different lieux-dits, a seductive Côte Blonde and a densely structured La Landonne. +The 2009 Côte Rôtie Classique exhibits sweeter, riper fruit as well as abundant raspberry and cherry notes intermixed with bacon fat and spice...+ Robert Parker, Wine Advocate.

The estate was started in 1955. Patrick and Christophe Bonnefond now control 65 acres in northern Rhone of which 18 acres is in Cote Rotie. Colline du Couzou comes from an assemblage of plots in the north and south of the Cote Rotie appellation. The fruit is 80% dedstemmed and consists of 95% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. The wine is aged in small barrels for 18 months.