In This Newsletter:
Agathe Bursin Sale
Classics Corner: Klein Constantia
Alsace is for Lovers <3
Stock Up & Save On
Agathe Bursin
Agathe Bursin Sale
Classics Corner: Klein Constantia
Alsace is for Lovers <3
Stock Up & Save On
Agathe Bursin
Alsace is easily appreciated and far too often overlooked. To be certain, there are die-hard fans of the dry and often powerfully aromatic wines. But the casual wine drinker might only explore the pleasant, entry-level field blends. Now it the time to expand your wine horizons.
The first step to appreciating Alsatian wines is understanding the unique climate and soils of the region. The area is typically quite dry and warm due to the sheltering influence of the Vosges. This leads to a concentration and power to the wines that should appeal to many new-world, white wine lovers.
Aside from that initial aromatic wow factor, the wines hold layers of complexity, especially from Grand Cru vineyards. These dot the entire length of the appellation, showcasing a variety of soils (volcanic, sandstone, marl, limestone, loess, slate, granite) in this relatively small stretch of valley.
We’ve beat this drum for quite some time, but Bursin’s wines are the shining example affordable quality. Her blends, Pinot Gris, and Rieslings rival examples from top names such as Weinbach and Deiss, while running a touch leaner in style.
Bursin studied winemaking in Burgundy and Rhone before launching her own label. There is a marked Chablisienne influence on her wines in terms of their clarity of flavor and brightness. Her production is small and most sells out before bottling to private French clients, leaving little for the international market. In America, it gets overlooked, because she makes wines that are useful at the table (and are priced as such) instead of being ‘trophy’ wines for collectors to fight over. She lacks a national importer, which is another reason they might be a bit under the radar, though her wines are brokered by Thomas Calder (who also brokers Prevost, Cedric Bouchard, Bereche, Pattes Loup, and Boulay, among others) which speaks to the quality of the wines.
Given the small production and limited availability (the wines below are exclusively offered by us in the USA, after all), these wines are rarely reviewed. We’ve included tasting notes from the IOC Alsace laboratory, which analyzes wines for accreditation; not the most romantic, but independent and descriptive, none the less.
We know you’ll adore these wines. They have more freshness and elegance than is typical for Alsace but more complexity and gravitas, too. If you’re looking for white wines to go with lighter “red wine fare” like pork, chicken or braises, these make less filling, refreshing pairings (and they’re wonderful with salmon and crab, as well).
The first step to appreciating Alsatian wines is understanding the unique climate and soils of the region. The area is typically quite dry and warm due to the sheltering influence of the Vosges. This leads to a concentration and power to the wines that should appeal to many new-world, white wine lovers.
Aside from that initial aromatic wow factor, the wines hold layers of complexity, especially from Grand Cru vineyards. These dot the entire length of the appellation, showcasing a variety of soils (volcanic, sandstone, marl, limestone, loess, slate, granite) in this relatively small stretch of valley.
We’ve beat this drum for quite some time, but Bursin’s wines are the shining example affordable quality. Her blends, Pinot Gris, and Rieslings rival examples from top names such as Weinbach and Deiss, while running a touch leaner in style.
Bursin studied winemaking in Burgundy and Rhone before launching her own label. There is a marked Chablisienne influence on her wines in terms of their clarity of flavor and brightness. Her production is small and most sells out before bottling to private French clients, leaving little for the international market. In America, it gets overlooked, because she makes wines that are useful at the table (and are priced as such) instead of being ‘trophy’ wines for collectors to fight over. She lacks a national importer, which is another reason they might be a bit under the radar, though her wines are brokered by Thomas Calder (who also brokers Prevost, Cedric Bouchard, Bereche, Pattes Loup, and Boulay, among others) which speaks to the quality of the wines.
Given the small production and limited availability (the wines below are exclusively offered by us in the USA, after all), these wines are rarely reviewed. We’ve included tasting notes from the IOC Alsace laboratory, which analyzes wines for accreditation; not the most romantic, but independent and descriptive, none the less.
We know you’ll adore these wines. They have more freshness and elegance than is typical for Alsace but more complexity and gravitas, too. If you’re looking for white wines to go with lighter “red wine fare” like pork, chicken or braises, these make less filling, refreshing pairings (and they’re wonderful with salmon and crab, as well).
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Bursin
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Bursin
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, April 26th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Bursin
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, April 26th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer five in-stock Bursin options on sale now, including:
Agathe Bursin L’As de B 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $24, that’s $22.80 at 5% off and $21.60 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
“The 2022 L’As de B stands for ‘assemblage de Bollenberg’. Bursin bought the site in 2001. It is a field blend of Pinot Gris, Muscat, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir on an east-facing parcel of sandy, calcareous clay, very well-drained. The shy nose gives away the merest glance of Mirabelle. The palate, however, brims with ripe, juicy fruit of yellow, green and pink plums. The 2022 is a light-footed, fruity wine with much verve. (Bone-Dry).” -Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous
IOC Alsace Note “[Translated] Pretty nose, hint of toast, good finesse. Rich and ample, a gourmand wine. Good length. 9.3 g/L residual sugar.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Agathe Bursin Pinot Blanc Parad’Aux 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $26, that’s $24.70 at 5% off and $23.40 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
“The 2022 Pinot Blanc Parad-Aux is half Pinot Blanc, half Auxerrois, from two parcels on calcareous marl, harvested on the same day, co-pressed and co-fermented. The nose smells of damp earth and opens into gently ripe Reine Claude plum fruit on the palate. This is light, rounded, smooth and dry, with slight diffusion on the finish. (Bone-Dry) (Drink between 2024-2028).” –Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Agathe Bursin Riesling Bollenberg 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $28, that’s $26.60 at 5% off and $25.20 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “[Translated] The Bollenberg is one of the three arid hills bordering the village of Westhalten. A thin layer of loess covers the slopes of this hillside. This deposit, from the Quaternary glacial period, was carried by the winds. It is a pale yellow, very fine, sandy and calcareous silt, with little clay. This soil is particularly favorable to the full expression of the different Alsatian grape varieties… The Riesling plot [was planted] with an old variety in sélection massale, the grapes develop aromas evoking a basket of ripe citrus fruits. The limestone soil marks the wine with a fine and straight acidity.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The Zinnkoepfle vineyard is awash in fossil rich limestone and wraps around a hill top similar to Corton. The Bursin winery is situated right at the base of the vineyard and there is a clear connection with the terroir. The wines are powerful with tropical notes and the right balance of acidity to keep them feeling weightless. They age with grace, maintaining the lightness, salinity, but adding a creamy mid palate that is tremendously luxurious. You’ll be left wondering if it’s really Trimbach or Weinbach in your glass.
Agathe Bursin Pinot Gris Zinnkoepfle, Alsace Grand Cru 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 92 points “The 2022 Pinot Gris Zinnkoepfle Grand Cru gives a mere impression of a ripe pear on the nose. The palate immediately charms with ripe, smooth, bright pear juiciness. It’s only subtly sweet. The palate remains slender but has the extra juiciness and flavor from the residual sweetness of 16 g/L but with the acidity to match. (Off-Dry).”
Winery Note “[Translated] The Pinot Gris comes from plots located in the heart of the hillside, benefiting as much as possible from this very particular climatology linked to this terroir. As with Riesling, the Pinot Gris thrives on the hill. In fact, it finds its favorite temperatures there, i.e. sunny days with lots of light and nights with slightly cooler temperatures.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Agathe Bursin Riesling Zinnkoepfle, Alsace Grand Cru 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “[Translated] 13% ABV, 0 g/L residual sugar, biodynamically farmed. At 410 meters, [Zinnkoepflé] is the highest in Alsace. Located on steep slopes, this vineyard perfectly meets all the quality criteria necessary for wine-growing, namely a certain type of soil, climate, and natural vegetation. Facing south and southeast, its soils are calcareous-sandstone, composed largely of ‘calcaire à entroques’ (Muschelkalk sedimentary rock composed of Triassic-era fossils) and shell sandstone. Its soils are warm, stony, and easily accumulate the sun’s rays during the day, diffusing this heat during the night. This phenomenon is accentuated by the countless dry stone walls that surround the plots… As for Riesling, it thrives near the top of the hill. Indeed, it finds its favorite temperatures there, that is, sunny days with plenty of light and nights with slightly cooler temperatures.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Shop our five Bursin selections now!
Classics Corner:
Klein Constantia
Could there be a more satisfying conclusion to a good meal than pouring a small glass of stickie to pair with dessert? Discover the simple and classic pleasure of a sip of one of the finest dessert wines in the world, on par with d’Yquem quality… but not in price.
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine, Constantia, South Africa 2018 500ml $79 special, 11 500ml-bottles in stock now
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 97 points “Classic and expressive with seductive aromas of marmalade and honeysuckle, the 2020 Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine is fresh, balanced and complex, offering a delightful lift from 60% new oak. Clocking in at 13.5% alcohol, the palate displays a harmonious balance between fruit sweetness and energetic acidity. It has layers of complexity with impeccable breadth and depth. It may be one of the finest expressions of Vin de Constance to date, and it ends with succulent flavors of apricots, saffron, quince paste and sweet candied citrus tones over the long, ever-evolving finish. Aged for a year and a half in 50% new Hungarian and French oak barrels, followed by an additional year and a half of large format wooden foudre, only the best lots end up being selected for the final blend. Bravo! Run, don’t walk to buy this world-class sweet wine to put in your cellar!”
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine, Constantia, South Africa 2018 500ml $79 special, 11 500ml-bottles in stock now
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 97 points “Classic and expressive with seductive aromas of marmalade and honeysuckle, the 2020 Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine is fresh, balanced and complex, offering a delightful lift from 60% new oak. Clocking in at 13.5% alcohol, the palate displays a harmonious balance between fruit sweetness and energetic acidity. It has layers of complexity with impeccable breadth and depth. It may be one of the finest expressions of Vin de Constance to date, and it ends with succulent flavors of apricots, saffron, quince paste and sweet candied citrus tones over the long, ever-evolving finish. Aged for a year and a half in 50% new Hungarian and French oak barrels, followed by an additional year and a half of large format wooden foudre, only the best lots end up being selected for the final blend. Bravo! Run, don’t walk to buy this world-class sweet wine to put in your cellar!”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
German & Austrian Magnums
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of German & Austrian Magnums, 3L & 6L
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of German & Austrian Magnums, 3L & 6L
Felsina
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Felsina
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Felsina
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
German & Austrian Magnum sale ends Thursday, April 24th at 9 am Pacific. Felsina sale ends Friday, April 25th at 9 am Pacific.