Domaine Weinbach: The 2023 Collection

Founded in 1612, Domaine Weinbach is a traditional Alsace domaine whose exceptional holdings in and around the village of Kaysersberg are fermented with wild yeasts and aged in huge old wooden fuders.

They are, though, incredibly forward-thinking when it comes to organic and biodynamic farming practices; ways to counter the increasing threat of drought; and their approach to reduced sulphur usage during the vinification. Additionally, progress with the reds has been fast and noticeable – and the Pinot Noirs in the offer are well worthy of attention.

2023 is a vintage that clearly signposts the even finer-tuned, lithe and filigreed approach to the wines that Eddy Leiber-Faller has been pushing for since returning to the estate. Almost all the range, save for the Gewurztraminers, are now fermented to dryness – a move that has rendered the individual vineyard signatures clearer than ever – favouring “juiciness over opulence”. 2023 was a vintage that began a little later than usual and ended a little later than usual with next to no mildew pressures in the vineyards. Typically, the sign of a great year, yields across the range were on the upper end of the spectrum, producing wines in a less concentrated, less phenolic feel compared to the whites released last year. Muscular structure in the top wines has been replaced this year by a certain race and salty grip. Where last year, the Pinot Gris stood out as being exceptional to us, in 2023 the slow ripening and harvest conditions (over five weeks) has produced some mesmerising Rieslings and, remarkably, Gewurztraminers that are every inch the great wines the variety has the potential to be. Alcohols across the range are half a degree on average down on last year, at 12.5-13.5%. These are wines that marry refreshment with detail and traditional, Alsatian quality.

This is a vintage that will please the lovers of fresh, easy drinking wines, although they also show quite enough structure to make them food friendly and immensely gastronomic. – Eddy Leiber-Faller.

As always, this huge range comprises some of the finest and most delightful wines Alsace has to offer, with barely ever a misfire.

We invite you to peruse the full offer and submit orders by Friday 24th January 2025.

Mark Dearing, Buyer, Justerini & Brooks.