Alsace wine producer: Martin Schaetzel, Ammerschwihr

Perfection to the smallest detail, it is a good way to describe the domaine Martin Schaetzel.

Martin Schaetzel is a fairly small domaine of 12 hectares, located in central Ammerschwihr and run by Jean Schaetzel, a professor at the oenological college in Rouffach. Despite its modest size, Schaetzel has more than 30 wines on its list, including as many as 15 Riesling. Only from Grand Cru Kaefferkopf they offer three different cuvées representing distinctly different geologies in the notoriously heterogeneous Kaefferkopf. Jean Schaetzel successfully captures the character from their various vineyards, thanks to the low-intervention, organic approach which highlights the influence of the terroir. This can only be understood if you are on site and may be privileged to compare wines of the same grape variety and vintage in parallel.

Unlike most other small producers, Schaetzel does not actively advertise themselves to occasional visitors to the region. The fact, the address does not even appear on the village's official guide plate. The sign on the street is reduced a minimum of Alsace and visitors should call ahead. But well in place, you will be receiving extremely friendly, generously and professionally in every respect. The product list is a well written, well designed booklet with a lot of information about the wines.

Year after year, Jean Schaetzel is recognised by La Revue du Vin de France for his wines. But do not only look focus on the most exclusive wines. All wines, from the modest Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois to epitomes such as the Grands Crus Kaefferkopf, Schlossberg and Ranger are all extremely well made and are just saturated with pure quality.

Do not miss Martin Schaetzel - it is a real gem!

Latest visit: 2010

Facts

Jean Schaetzel 3, Rue de la 5ème Division Blindée, Ammerschwihr +33 (0)389 47 11 39
jean.schaetzel@wanadoo.fr
Riesling €5.80
Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg €18 Elegant wines with a subtance and remarkable finesse, second to none. Very warm and professional. Grands Crus: Kaefferkopf, Marckrain, Rangen and Schlossberg
Lieux-dits: Oberberg, Rosenbourg

Representative wines 2010

2009 Auxerrois Golden and thick appearance. The generous nose offers warm apple crumb, crème brulée with a generous dose of vanilla and tropical fruits. The taste is perfectly balanced and well structured with mango notes, a slight bitterness resembling yellow grapefruit (pamplemousse) and surprising minerality. A great example of how ageing on oak (élevage en barrique) add qualities to the Auxerrois. 2008 Riesling Ammerschwihr Relatively closed, young aroma of yellow apples, lime and a touch of butter and hazelnut. The taste is firm and focused, in line with the aroma. 2007 Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg The aroma is very complex, with cool red fruit (raspberry and red currant) as well as sweetish notes of liquorice and exotic fruits. The flavour is full, firm and fruity with loads of juicy but silky fruit and long-lasting minerality. As good as it gets. 2005 Pinot Gris Rosenbourg Stunning nose with white raisins, coffee, figs, roasted nuts and arrack. Very elegant, fruity flavour and a salty minerality that adds freshness and dimension to the wine. From a superb terroir for Pinot grapes, located west of the small vineyard road that connects Kientzheim and Riquewihr.