Alsace wine producer: Schoffit, Colmar

If I were forces to select one wine to drink the rest of my life, it would very well be Riesling Grand Cru Rangen Clos Sainte-Théobald.

Domaine Schoffit is run by Bernhard Schoffit, that makes no compromises whatsoever in terms of quality. He also has a long-term perspective on his work, nursing old vineyards with old vines with utmost care.

Bernard Schoffit made a historic contribution when he, after years of negotiations, bought 6.5 of the 18.8 ha of the southern-most Grand Cru of Alsace, the volcanic Rangen. At that time , the vineyards was neglected and mismanaged. Today, it is a vineyard on par with the likes of Montrachet and Chambertin.

Domaine Schoffit is situated on old vegetable farming land in an eastern residential area of Colmar. The facilities are very modern and perfectly equipped.

Beside Rangen, Bernhard Schoffit has land on Harth, an alluvial terroir close to the commercial area of Hussen in northern Colmar, and the granitic Grand Cru Sommerberg (Niedermorschwihr). On Harth, Schoffit has 80 years old Chasselas vines. A few percent are systematically renewed each year, an illustration of the long-term perspective put in action by Bernhard Schoffit.

The vinification starts with gentle pressing and clarification of the cool must for 48 hours. Bernhard Schoffit supervises the fermentation with his palate. The dry cuvées are named Tradition, Cuvée Caroline a bit fuller. The Cuvée Alexandre may be quite rich, balanced by very good acidity

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The Grand Cru wines of Bernhard Schoffit are World Class wines. They are always rich but never heavy, and combine a full body with genuine varietal and terroir character.

Latest visit: 2005

Facts

Bernard Schoffit 66-68 Nonnenholzweg, map is needed. +33 (0)389 24 41 14
+33 (0)389 41 40 52 (fax)
Riesling Génerique €7
Riesling Cuvée Caroline €9
Riesling Rangen Clos Sainte-Théobald €25
Powerful, concentrated wines with style. Personal and welcoming. Good English. Grands Crus: Rangen, Schlossberg
Lieux-dits: Harth

Selected representative wines 2005

2004 Chasselas Cuvée Particulière Fine, aromatic fresh and spicy aroma with some honey. The taste is hard, dry, long and mouthfilling. 2004 Riesling Tradition Fresh, young aroma of pear and apple fruit drops. The taste is lean and firm with a bit hard malic acid. 2002 Riesling Grand Cru Rangen Clos Sainte-Théobald. Almost green. Complex, smoky aroma with minerals, fruit and a hint of petrol. The taste is firm, long, complex and compact with splendid fruit and unique minerality. Rich, still tastes bone dry at 8 g/liter R.S. 2004 Pinot Gris Grand Cru Rangen Clos Sainte-Théobald. Stunning, huge aroma of apricots, raisins and smoke with unbeatable focus. Giant, fresh honeyed taste with superb acidity, balancing 15.2% alcohol and 45 g/liter of residual sugar.