History
When Ernest Schlumberger died, his wife Christine (1894-1971) ran Domaines Schlumberger for almost 20 years and managed it with talent and a firm hand. She was the grandmother of current chairman Alain Beydon – Schlumberger. Vendanges Tardives (an appellation since 1984) are wines made with over-ripe grapes picked several weeks after the grape harvest. Contrary to certain botrytized sweet wines, they have a freshness and natural acidity which give them an absolutely unique flavour.
Location
Our Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives Cuvée Christine 2005 comes exclusively from our Grand Cru KESSLER.
Wine-making
Cuvée Christine is a selection of late-picked wines produced in 2005. Work was monitored right from winter pruning to harvesting which took place in November 2005. 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 labelled and distributed throughout the world.
Gastronomy
- Aperitif
- Foie gras
- Strong cheeses
- Pastry, tart, cream or mousse
- To finish a meal
- By itself at any time
Serve at 12°C
Learn more about food & wine pairing
Tasting
The robe is a deep golden yellow with light green reflections of a beautiful intensity. The disk is bright, limpid, transparent. The wine shows concentration and youth. The nose is marked, pleasant, with a great intensity, and gives out a dominant of candied, overmatured, floral scents, rose and exotic fruits, litchi, crystallized fruits, citrus fruits, orange peel, grapefruit, delicately spicy. Airing adds to the complexity of the range of scents, which are still edging towards crystallized fruits, citrus fruits, grapefruit and the floral hint of rose. The nose is an absolute delight. With its profusion of fruits, spices and flowers, it will satisfy every amateur of marrowy wines. The mouth is ample and marrowy, the alcoholic base is vigorous. One evolves on a medium with a delicate, slightly underlying vivacity. The range of flavours spans from the floral, rose, to the fruity, litchi, citrus fruits, grapefruit, candied orange, slightly gingery. A delicate bitterness can be detected. The finish shows sappiness, 8 caudalies, and a well balanced vivacity. The structure is remarkably concentrated, the vivacity remains dominated by overmaturity but will reveal itself with time, keep for another 8 years.
Technical sheet elaborated by M. Pascal Leonetti
Best Sommelier of France 2006
Sommelier at l’Auberge de l’Ill (*** Michelin)
