Pinot Gris, Les Caracoles, 2023
A single plot Pinot Gris from just below the Altenbourg where the soils are clay-limestone. Caracoles is an old French word (and still is in Spanish) for snails. Here, riper, classy fruits are met with brouder shoulders in terms of concentration, acidity and grip. Les Caracoles has moved to become a fully dry Pinot Gris. As such, they have been working more with the fine lees and introduced some smaller oak barrels too to build texture and finesse.
critic reviews
The 2023 Pinot Gris Les Caracoles is from the lieu-dit of Schneckeltor, just underneath the Altenbourg, with clay on limestone. The shy nose only allows brief glimpses of smoky pear with just a touch of creaminess. The palate is wonderfully dry and fresh, with the sinew of Pinot Gris but none of the bulk. This is beautifully defined and bone dry. The 2023 is austere now but will fill out with time. (Bone-dry)