Alsace wine producer: Josmeyer, Wintzenheim

Josmeyer is on of the great houses of Alsace. There are two reasons, both spelled H-E-N-G-S-T.

No Alsace Grand Cru is more wild, more difficult to tame and more ruthless than a Riesling Hengst from Josmeyer. Hengst means "e;stallion", a good metaphore for this terroir. Hengst is on Oligocene gonglemorates,a deep and cold soil that requires a perfect micro climate to perform well and show fruit and finesse.

Josmeyer has land on Grand Crus Hengst and Brand. While Hengst is cold and clayey , while Brand is on a hot, sandy granitic terroir (Brand means "fire"). But your money on Hengst in the great years, and Brand in the classic years such as 2004

For mainy years, Josmeyer has nursed their old vines of Auxerrois on Hengst. They are sold as Auxerrois "H". On hot soils, Auxerrois may give flabby vines, on Hengst the old vines give full, spicy wines with superior acidity.

The company was formed in 1854 and is now run by Jean Meyer. The name is derived from Jos(eph)Meyer. Josmeyer owns 25 ha, which is quite a lot. Besided Hengst and Brand, Herrenweg is an important terroir, one of the few (Harth and Clos des Capucins are others) on the quartenary river beds that give top-notch wines.

Josmeyer practices biodynamic viticulture and all wines are impeccable. There is no doubt that Josmeyer produces upper range wines are World Class.

Latest visit: 2006

Facts

Jean Meyer 2, route d´Wintzenheim +33 (0)389 27 91 90
+33 (0)389 27 91 99 (fax)
josmeyer@wanadoo.com
Riesling Le Kottabe €11.80
Riesling Hengst €26
Dry wines of superb class. Professional. Good English. Grands Crus: Brand, Hengst
Lieux-dits: Herrenweg, Warstein

Selected representative wines 2006

2002 Pinot Auxerrois "H" Very powerful and spicy aroma. The taste is full with good length and a hint of cauliflower. 2002 Riesling Pierrets Very elegant, classic aroma with lime and exciting minerality. Well crafted, fairly light-bodied taste with very pure fruit and a hint of honey in the aftertaste. 2000 Riesling Grand Cru Hengst Generous aroma of flowers, minerals and everything else you can dream of. Full, complete almost minty taste with superb length and impressive structure. 2002 Pinot Gris Grand Cru Hengst Wonderful, complex aroma with apricots, smoke, honey and much more. The taste zesty, wild and big. The richness (R.S. 30 g/liter) is amalgamated with refined acidity. A wine you will never forget!