Mader Riesling Burgweg 2023 (screw cap)

From the village of Ribeauvillé, this 0.8 ha vineyard was abandoned for 40 years until 2016 when Jérôme Mader bought, re-terraced and replanted it. It's a pure Gneiss terroir, full south facing and it's the last vineyard you see before you leave Ribeauvillé heading up into the Vosges Mountains. A bit like the location of Clos Windsbuhl as you leave Hunawihr. Thus it's a pretty cool site, which shows in the abundant minerality and tension in the wine. A great discovery and an even greater value proposition.

Whole bunch pressed and vinfied in 100% stainless steel for 9 months on fine lees. Fresh, fruity and mineral with great salinity and less alcohol than the richer marl terroirs more typical of this area. 2023 is the third vintage of this wine and it is an outstanding success.
13.02 % Alc/Vol; 0.8 g/L RS; 5.3 g/L TA.

'Mineral, concentrated and ample wine. Grapefruit on the palate and it shines with its long salty finish.' 93 points, Top Village Wine of the Tasting, La Revue du Vin de France, July 2024.

Burgweg is literally 'castle (path) way' and the castle in question is the Château de Saint-Ulrich (also known as the Château de Grand-Ribeaupierre), situated atop the hills overlooking Ribeauvillé. The Burgweg vineyard is directly below it.

'Top 10 Best Value Producers in Alsace' Tom Stephenson, The Wine Report.

The Mader domaine is a very small quantity, high quality wine producer based in the picture postcard village of Hunawihr just south of Ribeauville. The family own just over 10 hectares of vineyards, including  prized holdings of vines in the famous ‘Rosacker’ Grand Cru vineyard and also now in the Grand cru Schlossberg. All vineyard work is carried out by hand and since 2005 their son Jerome is now running the estate having studied and gained a Diploma in Oenology. Since returning to the family estate Jerome has also converted all their vineyards to organic viticulture.

Rieslings here are some of the few in Alsace produced in a classic fine dry style built to age. In exceptional years a tiny volume of late harvest ‘Vendanges Tardive’ Riesling is made in a similar fine, elegant style that ages superbly. Jerome is fanatical about quality so yields are kept very low and selections for all wines are extremely strict ensuring the highest quality in every bottle. The entire range of wines from the Mader family taste true to their grape varieties and vineyard origins and all represent fantastic value.

In June 2019 their 2018 Rieslings were both rated among the best of the vintage by Revue du Vins de France magazine who have also ranked the estate among the best of Alsace each year.