Kientzler

The Kientzler family has been growing vines for more than 5 generations in Ribeauvillé and the surrounding area. As early as 1866, Dominique Alphonse Kientzler had inherited vines from his father and grandfather and in 1895 was involved in the creation of France’s first winemaking cooperative in Ribeauvillé, in addition to running the local grocery shop. His son Alphonse carried on the grocery business while also tending to the vines; he eventually became the Mayor of Ribeauvillé either side of World War II.

It was Alphonse’s son François though, who was the first to fully concentrate on wine production, taking himself off to Switzerland to study viticulture. By the 1970s, he was joined by his son André in the wine business and the pair undertook a massive replanting program to replace much of the old Chasselas with the noble Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer varieties.

Today, the Kientzlers farm almost 14ha of vines in Ribeauvillé, Bergheim, Hunawihr and Riquewihr, including significant parcels in the Grand Crus of Geisberg, Osterberg and Kirchberg. And in turn André handed over the reins to his sons in 2009; Thierry looks after the winemaking and Eric the commercial side of the business.

'One of the most talented Winemakers in Alsace…..he has Riesling and Gewürztraminer growing in prime sites and it is what he manages to do with these that ranks his wines among the very best in Alsace. Although his generic Riesling has great class and finesse, his Grand Cru Geisberg and Grand Cru Osterberg are very much finer. The Geisberg is the riper and more opulent, with a wisp of smokiness to the fruit, the Osterberg is more classic and flinty, requiring longer in bottle.' The Wines of Alsace, Tom Stevenson.

WINE NOTES AND REVIEWS

Each year when we visit the Kientzlers to taste the new vintages the lasting impression after each visit is that the tasting as a whole delivers a remarkable range of some of the most crystaline pure wines that one could possibly find in not only Alsace but anywhere in France. It is not hard to understand why this estate is so highly regarded within France as one of the leading domaines of Alsace. However quantities are so limited that very little makes its way into export markets, or to reviewers outside of France. Simply put, these wines sell out at the domaine each year at very reasonable prices with no fuss. These wines deserve your discovery and appreciation and we are very grateful for the access to this remarkable range of wines.

Recent vintages - comments from Eric Kientzler

2022 Is the opposite weather of 2021! Warm and sunny the all season. The yield was quite similar to 2021 except for Pinot with a low/regular yield. The concentration of the grape balance the “lack” of acidity and surprisingly the alc. are as well close to 13%. (I don’t analyze Terroir and Grand Cru yet). The wine is textured but not heavy. Picking from 23 August to 26 September.

2021 A vintage like in “the old time”. Picking from 20th Sept until 21 October. So the vintage was fresh and humid, with rains almost every day so it was a challenging vintage to cure the vintage. The yield was low and very low for all Pinot family. Fortunately the weather was good for the picking. It results a vintage with really high acidity level and freshness (Alc is around 13%). The wine are sharp and pure.

2020 is a hot dry vintage which doesn’t have all the characteristics of such a vintage as the acidities are pretty good. Harvest started end of August and while it has made more approachable wines some wines can compare with 2019 in acidity. 2020 compares to 2015 as both were hot and dry. However 2020 has much more intensity and diversity in the mouth. 2015 is smoother and simpler but with a great drinkability.

2019 is, compared to nowadays standard, a “normal” vintage, not too warm and not too dry. Yields were average around 50hl/ha. However this vintage is a powerful vintage. Not for alcohol levels but for the power of the fruit, bitterness and acidity. So it makes very pure and dry wines. Eric compares 2019 to 2017 except that acidities are notably higher. Both vintages show superb minerality and will age well. I think all whites varieties managed well for both vintages. Riesling remains the best grape for mineral restitution.’ Eric Kientzler

SPARKLING

NV Cremant d’Alsace
Made from 100% Auxerrois in the traditional method with low dosage of just 5 g/L. This is made from the 'coeur de presse' (heart of the press juice which has the purest expression of fruit). This release is based on the 2020 vintage and has been aged on lees for 19 months; disgorged in October 2022. Dry and vinous on the palate and fresh and lively, a perfect aperitif style.

ESTATE & VILLAGE WINES

2021 Pinot Blanc (Stelvin)
From 100 % Auxerrois from vines averaging 35 years old. Auxerrois tends to yield wines that are softer and more generous. Shows the fine floral perfume and fresh acidity so typical of this variety and village, and which is also a signature of Kientzler wines. A pure and delicate full fruited Pinot Blanc finishing dry with length and persistence. 13.0 % Alc/Vol; <1.0 g/l RS; 7.08 g/l TA.

2022 Pinot Gris (Stelvin)
Crystalline pure aromas showing hints of mineral and stone fruit in perhaps the driest version yet of this wine with restraint and finesse. Pure citric and melon flavours with hints of smoke and crisp acidity. Finely textured, yet fresh and vibrant. 13.0% Alc/Vol; 4.18 g/l RS; 5.83 g/l TA.

2022 Riesling (Stelvin)
From the warm and generous 2022 season which has yielded this fine very dry classic Riesling. Classic fine citric fruit aromas backed by delicate mineral notes. Tight direct and very pure palate with balanced acidity which will see this wine evolve with time. Fine, precise with crystalline freshness guaranteed having been bottled under stelvin closure just for Australia.
13.0% Alc/Vol; 1.4g/l RS; 6.15 g/l TA.

2022 Gewurztraminer (Stelvin)
A fine, fresh and delicately perfumed Gewürztraminer with restraint and lovely fine acidity buffering its richness. Intense and exotic flavours lead to a dense palate with a spicy overtones and some phenolic grip, finishing fine, elegant and vivacious with very good length. 13.0% Alc/Vol; 22.79 g/l RS; 4.33 g/l TA.1SINGLE VINEYARD WINES (LIEU-DITS)

2020 Kientzler Riesling Muhlforst
Made from parcel of massale selection Riesling which has been sourced from several prominent producers throughout the region who supplied cuttings of their best vines to have as a nursery they can each draw on for quality massale selection vines. Muhlforst sits quite high above the village of Hunawihr and also adjoins Grand cru Rosacker. The soils here are richer with more clay giving the wine more immediate flesh and drinking appeal that the above Ribeauville. The 2020 vintage is showing very well even at this young age.
2019 vintage review ‘Powerful and generous with tons of citrus zest character and some tropical-fruit aromas. The depth and structure of a Grand Cru. Properly dry, the crisp acidity and fine tannins driving along this bold and powerful dry riesling. A single vineyard wine from Hunawihr. Drink or hold.’ 94 points, jamessuckling.com, June 2022.
13.0% Alc/Vol; 4.47 g/l RS; 6.62 g/l TA.

2021 Kientzler Gewurztraminer Haguenau - due March 2024
Haguenau is a lieu-dit in the village of Bergheim (on the boundary with Ribeauvillé) that is proposed as a future Premier Cru site. The vineyard follows the contour line from the east-facing portion of the Grand Cru Osterberg, but here, just a few hundred metres away, the calcareous marl becomes heavier in clay, producing richer, spicier and more powerful wines. These vines belonging to the Kientzler family were planted in 1981.
13.0% Alc/Vol; 24.8 g/l RS; 6.89 g/l TA.

2020 Kientzler Auxerrois ‘K’ - very limited
Made from 100% Auxerrois grown in the Kirchberg Grand Cru. Although the vineyard is classified as Grand Cru, Auxerrois is not one of Alsace’s four authorised Grand Cru varieties (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer & Muscat) so the wine cannot be labelled as Grand Cru. Thus Auxerrois ‘K’ is Kientzler’s nod to the Grand Cru site and the wine is their testament to just how good Auxerrois can be when grown on a great site. They have always made this wine as a late harvest version with residual sugar of 20-40 g/l, which the wine needs to buffer the raw minerality and natural acidity that comes from this cool site. The 2020 shows white flower aromas with fine reserved citric and mineral inflected fruit. This is an exotic, wild ride of a wine that pairs brilliantly with many richer dishes and also some spicy Asian cuisine - or just as an aperitif. An absolutely captivating wine. 13.0 % Alc/Vol; 41.62 g/l RS; 5.77 g/l TA.

THE GRAND CRUS - OSTERBERG

‘… the Osterberg is more classic and flinty, requiring longer in bottle.' Tom Stevenson – The Wines of Alsace.

2021 Kientzler Riesling Grand Cru Osterberg
As Eric Kientzler notes ‘Osterberg is the most classic Grand Cru in our portfolio’. Here 50+ year old vines deliver a tight and very mineral Riesling from marl, sandstone and limestone soils. From an east facing vineyard located just above the great Geisberg site. The cooler 2021 vintage has given a modest 13% alc with excellent intensity and purity. Very linear. Great potential.
13.0% Alc/Vol; 2.4 g/l RS; 7.59 g/l TA.
The distinguished Osterberg offers a salivating brilliance and a penetrating intensity of flavours. 93 points, Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2024.

2019 Kientzler Riesling Grand Cru Osterberg - NEW SHIPMENT - last cases
’So tight and firm with major, chalky minerality, this is a very striking dry riesling that has the depth of expression we expect from the Grand Cru category wines. So much Amalfi lemon and lemon curd, but also dill and parsley aromas. Serious depth and structure at the bold and crisp finish. Drink or hold.’ 94 points, jamessuckling.com, June 2022.
13.5% Alc/Vol; 2.4 g/l RS; 8.61 g/l TA.
96 points, Guide des Vins, Bettane & Desseauve, 2022.
94 points, Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2022.

2018 Kientzler Pinot Gris Grand Cru Osterberg - NEW SHIPMENT August 2023
From an east facing vineyard located just above the great Geisberg site.  '..the Osterberg is more classic and flinty, requiring longer in bottle.' Tom Stevenson – The Wines of Alsace.
From the warmer 2018 vintage this wine finishes with more residual sugar than usual for this cuvee. 13.18% Alc/Vol; 33.27 g/l RS; 5.89 g/l TA.

2021 Kientzler Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Osterberg
Replanted in 2003 in the calcerous marl, sandstone and limestone soils. Eric Kientzler suggests keeping for 5-10 years to reveal its dimension and mineral complexity. From an east facing vineyard located just above the great Geisberg site. 13.0% Alc/Vol; 45 g/l RS; 5.66 g/l TA.

THE GRAND CRUS - KIRCHBERG DE RIBEAUVILLE

Kirchberg is the highest (270-350 metres altitude) and coolest Grand cru vineyard in the village of Ribeauville lying closest to the forest which has cooling breezes drifting down from the afternoon and evening. The south to south-east facing exposure means it is bathed in longer daily sunshine at the time when the grapes ripen making the wines among the freshest and raciest Rieslings in Alsace and also some of the finest driest Pinot Gris’ from this village. The Kientzler holding is very close to the forest and also located quite high on the slope making for intense yet fine and well structured Pinot Gris and Riesllngs. 
Smoky and pebble-like tones radiate the Kirchberg Riesling, a wine with rare transparency and refined flavors, whose marly character is imprinted in the amplitude of the finish. Vibrant finish with notes of mint and lime zest. Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2024.

2021 Kientzler Pinot Gris Grand Cru Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé
Pure aromas with notes of white fruit. Deep and broad palate, carved with an amazing acidity for a Pinot Gris. The wine, on a semi-dry balance, stretches for some time on the palate with a predominantly mineral character. Grand Cru Kirchberg defines wines by elegance and here refinement is at every step of the wine. 14.0% Alc/Vol; 1.1 g/l RS; 6.64 g/l TA.
A lot of reserve and precision in the Pinot Gris from Kirchberg, promising a harmonious development. 93 points, Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2024.

2021 Kientzler Riesling Grand Cru Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé
Intense mineral and white fruit bouquet. The texture combines high aromatics purity and deep acidity. Vibrant wines with good length support all along by an attractive minerality. Grand Cru Kirchberg defines wines by elegance and here refinement is at every step of the wine. 13.5% Alc/Vol; 3.01g/l RS; 9.1 g/l TA.
Smoky and pebble-like tones radiate the Kirchberg Riesling, a wine with rare transparency and refined flavors, whose marly character is imprinted in the amplitude of the finish. Vibrant finish with notes of mint and lime zest. 96 points, Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2024. COUP DE COEUR

2020 Kientzler Riesling Grand Cru Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé - NEW SHIPMENT - last cases
Brilliant intensity and freshness in this 2020 vintage of Kirchberg. Recent vintages of this cuvee have seen a real step up in quality as the fruit definition from the Kientzler holdings deliver extra power with its trademark crystalline freshness. 13.5% Alc/Vol; 2.2 g/l RS; 7.36 g/l TA.
95 points, Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2023.

2019 Kientzler Riesling Grand Cru Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé - NEW SHIPMENT - last cases - #84 in James Suckling Top 100 wines of 2022
An outstanding showing for this wine from the Kientzler vineyard. Extra intensity from the brilliant 2019 vintage together with the freshness and precision this site delivers year after year.
14% Alc/Vol; 3.51 g/l RS; 8.43 g/l TA.
‘Such a deep nose of lemon curd and fresh sage with just a hint of melted butter. Powerful and highly structured on the full-bodied but super-clean palate, this has stunning mineral intensity that builds and builds at the very sharply defined finish. Drink or hold.’ 96 points, Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com, June 2022.
95 points, Guide des Vins, Bettane & Desseauve, 2022.
95 points, Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2022.

2017 Kientzler Riesling Grand Cru Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé - last bottles
13.64% Alc/Vol; 1.85 g/l RS; 10.71 g/l TA.
’Wow this is really driven with superb green-apple, mineral and floral aromas and flavors. Full body. Dry and flavorful at the end. Intense ripeness and acidity. Edgy. Drink now.’ 94 points, Stuart Pigott, Jamessuckling.com, August 2019.
‘Bright straw. Lively aromas of white stone fruit, jasmine and celery seed. Deep and dense with brooding, nicely persistent orchard fruit and mineral flavors. Still very young and only beginning to express all of its noteworthy potential. Great wine in the making, but I’d forget about it in the cellar for another five years at least.’ 92+ points, Ian D’Agata, Vinous, January 2019.

THE GRAND CRUS - GEISBERG

From the third smallest Grand Cru in Alsace (8.53ha), Kientzler are one of just four producers to own a part of what is widely regarded as one of Alsace's finest vineyards. Rising steeply (250-350 metres altitude) above the northern edge of the town the vineyard is mostly covered in narrow terraces held in place with rock walls and seemingly endless stairs leading ever higher until one reaches Osterberg GC. Beneath the tiny terrace walls the subsoil is Triasic with essentially Lower Muschelkalk dolomitic marls, and at the upper levels sandy marls with gypsum of the Middle Muschelkalk overlaid by stony clayey soil with dolomitic fragments
The Kientzler family vines in Geisberg have an average of 60 years age giving this great depth and dimension with an intense bouquet with a rich and varied aromatic scale, marked by an amazing mineral depth and overall refinement. Texture both ample and precise, with a unique dimension on tasting. Riesling is the main grape here and the tiny plot of Pinot Gris owned by the Kientzlers is so small it is now blended with other holdings
’Geisberg has been well documented since 1308 as Riesling country par excellence. The wines are fragrant and have great finesse, yet they are also powerful and long lived. These are true Grand crus, not widely available and highly sought after. Andre Kientzler is the greatest exponent of Geisberg Riesling.’ Tom Stevenson, The Wines of Alsace.

2021 Riesling Grand Cru Geisberg
Intense aromas with a rich and varied aromatic scale, marked by an amazing mineral depth and overall refinement. Texture both ample and precise, with a unique dimension on tasting. The powerful and profound mineral intensity is coupled with a mature and precise acidity. Palate with great tension, intense brightness and purity. The overall framework conveys length, elegance and refinement. Drink within its early years to appreciate its freshness and aromatic generosity. Keeping your wine for 5 to 10 years will reveal its dimension and mineral complexity. Beyond this time it will fully reveal the brilliance of a Grand Cru. 13.5% Alc/Vol; <1.0 g/l RS; 8.78 g/l TA.
Tense, very long and salivating. Geisberg is dazzling and chiselled: its intense and subtle personality is expressed with restraint but less stiffness than in the past.
95 points, Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2024.

2020 Riesling Grand Cru Geisberg 750ml + 1500ml
”The powerful and profound mineral intensity is coupled with a mature and precise acidity. Palate with great tension, intense brightness and purity. The overall framework conveys length, elegance and refinement. One of the finest and driest vintages of this outstanding Grand Cru.” 14% Alc/Vol; 1.2 g/l RS; 7.37 g/l TA.
95 points, Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2023.

2019 Riesling Grand Cru Geisberg 750ml + 1500ml - more due September
‘The aromas of this remarkable dry riesling sparkle like a well-cut gem stone. So much drive and energy are packed into a rather sleek silhouette, the enormous, citrusy freshness at the mineral finish lighting up the sky. Drink or hold.’ 95 points, Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com, June 2022.
14% Alc/Vol; 3.45 g/l RS; 8.64 g/l TA.
96 points, Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2022.

THE GRAND CRUS - SCHOENENBOURG

Located in the village of Riquewihr just south of Ribeauville facing south to south-east at an altitude of 265-380 metres. Covering 53.4 hectares the soil comprises dolomite gypsum and marl overlaid with fine layers of Vosges sandstone and Muschelkalk with outcrops of Lias marl limestone towards the eastern extremity. Riesling is the best performer in this vineyard.
'Voltaire once owned part of this vineyard, which was renowned in the middle ages and gained fame throughout Europe by the 16th century.' Tom Stevenson – The Wines of Alsace.

2022 Kientzler Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg
Just 450 bottles produced in a good vintage from this tiny 0.12 ha site of 60 yo vines in this south facing vineyard with notable gypsum in the soil. This site located further south in Riquewihr was purchased in 2009 by Eric Kientzler and is quickly proving to be one of the most distinguished Rieslings in the fabulous line-up of spectacularly dry and mineral Rieslings at this address.
Elegant fruity bouquet. The texture is round and complex hold by a nice acidity. Large minerality brings complexity and length. Eric Kientzler notes that this site is “really cool, one of the last Rieslings we pick each harvest”. 13.0% Alc/Vol; 2.0 g/l RS; 8.41 g/l TA.

2021 Kientzler Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg
Just 450 bottles produced in a good vintage from this tiny 0.12 ha site of 60 yo vines in this south facing vineyard with notable gypsum in the soil. This site located further south in Riquewihr was purchased in 2009 by Eric Kientzler and is quickly proving to be one of the most distinguished Rieslings in the fabulous line-up of spectacularly dry and mineral Rieslings at this address.
Elegant fruity bouquet. The texture is round and complex hold by a nice acidity. Large minerality brings complexity and length. Super fine and detailed in 2021. Eric Kientzler notes that this site is “really cool, one of the last Rieslings we pick each harvest”. 13.0% Alc/Vol; 3.29 g/l RS; 9.21 g/l TA.
Between umami and yuzu, Schoenenbourg Riesling overflows with a thousand pointillist flavours: its scope and its substance signify the singularity of terroir.
95 points, Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2024.

2020 Kientzler Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg - last bottles
‘A deep and powerfully structured dry riesling with such a firm core and so much youthful energy. What a striking range of aromas, stretching from apricot to angelica via mango and mangosteen. So much power at the bold but very clean and long finish. Very limited production. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.’ 95 points, Stuart Pigott, Jamessuckling.com June 2022.
13.0% Alc/Vol; 2.3 g/l RS; 8.03 g/l TA.
94 points, Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, La Revue du Vin de France, 2023.

2019 Kientzler Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg - last bottles
13.5% Alc/Vol; 3.44 g/l RS; 8.46 g/l TA.

2018 Kientzler Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg
13.49% Alc/Vol; 6.61 g/l RS; 6.78 g/l TA.