Domaine de l’Oriel Alsace Pinot Blanc 2022

Domaine de l’Oriel Alsace Pinot Blanc 2022

Aromas include honeysuckle, narcissus, gardenia, white flowers, pear, yellow apples, and white peaches.  Flavors include pear, McIntosh apples, honeydew melon, and white peaches.  There is a medium to full body, perfect balance and acidity, and a somewhat lush full finish.

This Domaine has vineyards in three of the more prominent Alsatian Grand Cru sites (Sommerberg, Brand, and Florimont) that are in a valley to the west of Colmar.  Their very minerally and crisp Grand Cru Rieslings are heavenly and the Domaine also produces very good Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer.

Domaine de l”Oriel also provides an interesting example of both how wine is produced in various parts of France and how “marketing” can influence customers in the “wine business.”  In areas of France where premier vineyard sites are limited such as Burgundy, Chablis, and Alsace, most of the “Grand Cru” and “Premier Cru” vineyards are effectively shared.  One “vigneron” may have eight rows of vines, another vigneron will have the next 12 rows of vines, and then another vigneron may only have the next six rows of vines, and so on.