The Pinot Gris grape variety appeared in Alsace at the end of the 17th century. It varies in colour from grayish blue to brownish pink and is a very close relation of the Burgundian pinot beurot variety. Less fragrant than other varieties it produces a full-bodied, heady wine which is particularly good when made with over-ripe grapes as its the case of our Selection de Grains Nobles wines. Late-harvested, Selections de Grains Nobles Pinot Gris wines are sumptuous and improve by becoming finer in time. Cuvee Clarisse is a very rare wine. Before 2000 it was only produced in 1964, 1989, 1997 and 1998.

Our Pinot Gris Cuvee Clarisse 2000 comes solely from our east-facing Grand Cru SPIEGEL plot, which stretches out halfway up the slope with sandy-clayey soil on marl-sandstone bedrock.

Cuvee Clarisse 2000 comes from a prime choice of Selections de Grains Nobles wines produced in 2000. Work was monitored right from winter pruning to harvesting which took place on 13 November 2000.
Hand-picked on steep slopes, the grapes were then carried in crates (to avoid damaging the berries) to our winery and then slowly pressed. After letting the must settle-statically for about 3 days, the perfectly clear juice was put in tuns (where the temperature was rigorously controlled) to ferment. Fermentation lasted between 1 and 3 months until spring. The wines were stabilized, filtered and then bottled the following spring. They were then stocked for several years before being labeled and distributed throughout the world.

The robe is a deep golden yellow with brown reflections of a great intensity. The disk is bright, limpid. The wine presents a beautiful evolution.
The nose is pleasant, frank and displays a dominant of candied scents. Botrytis, honey, polish, toasted, empyreumatic, candied fruits, apricot, cooked apples, caramel.
Aeration enhances the whole and reveals spices.
The nose is splendid and construes a definite and pure overmaturity. Splendid grape sorting work.
The onset in the mouth is ample and liquorish. Te alcoholic base is well balanced. One evolves on a sharp and precise medium that refreshes and refines the structure. The range of complex flavours, caramel, toast, candied fruits, apricots, honey is quite simply splendid.
The finish has a beautiful length and a frank vivacity.
The mouth is suave, exhilarating but maintains freshness.
With its highly precise elaboration, this wine requires 10 more years of ageing in order to open out.

To be associated with blue-veined cheeses or a honey hive and nuts ice cream.
The recommended serving temperature is 12°C.

Technical Sheet elaborated by Monsieur Pascal LEONETTI

"Best Sommelier of France 2006"
"Best Young Sommelier of France 2003"