{"product_id":"kuentz-bas-alsace-blanc-alsace-france-2020","title":"Kuentz-Bas \"Blanc\" Alsace, France, 2020 (60% Sylvaner, 20% Auxerrois, 20% Muscat)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eMaison Kuentz-Bas was first established by the Kuentz family in 1795, and the domaine as we know it today was forged through a marriage that joined the Kuentz and Bas families in 1895. Nestled in the town of Husseren-les-Châteaux, it sits at one of the highest points in Alsace, and the vineyards stretch out from the village over an area of ten hectares. More than two hundred years of tradition and vineyard pedigree have made these wines perennial favorites, with the \u003cem\u003egrand crus \u003c\/em\u003eof Eichberg and Pfersigberg earning the highest esteem. However, when the family sold the property to famed \u003cem\u003evigneron\u003c\/em\u003e Jean-Baptiste Adam in 2004, many wondered what direction the new team would take. Adam, like the estate’s former owners, has a reputation for being an advocate of Alsatian \u003cem\u003eterroir\u003c\/em\u003e, and he is the fourteenth generation to continue a family winemaking tradition that began as early as 1614. Eager to restore Kuentz-Bas to its former glory, Adam lowered yields significantly and reverted to natural methods, following organic and biodynamic approaches to vineyard work. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeticulous attention to detail is the defining characteristic of both the viticulture and the vinification at Maison Kuentz-Bas. Winemaker Olivier Raffin, who took over direction of the cellar after Samuel Tottoli’s departure in 2017, puts a strong emphasis on both \u003cem\u003eterroir\u003c\/em\u003e and accessibility. The wines are divided into two tiers: \u003cem\u003eTradition\u003c\/em\u003e, a fresher collection focusing on fruit character, fermented and aged on the lees in oak \u003cem\u003efoudre\u003c\/em\u003e for 6-8 months and \u003cem\u003eTrois Châteaux\u003c\/em\u003e, from the domaine’s finest vineyards. The \u003cem\u003eTrois Châteaux\u003c\/em\u003e wines are fermented and aged in stainless steel tank, then bottled and held for a year before release. Raffin embraces hard work in the vineyards and minimal work in the cellar. Reduced doses of sulfur allow for a greater expression of fruit, and a drier fermentation yields crisp, mineral-laden wines with less residual sugar. The wines are therefore more open than ever while still reflecting the unmistakable character of the vineyards that clients have come to expect from the Maison Kuentz-Bas. Alsace’s noble \u003cem\u003eterroir\u003c\/em\u003e shines through like never before in the domaine’s wines, making these among the greatest white wine values to be found.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eOlivier Raffin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e60% Sylvaner, 20% Auxerrois, 20% Muscat \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAlsace, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Alsace Blanc — a blend of Sylvaner, Auxerrois, and Muscat grapes— comes from vines growing on silt, limestone, and loess (deposits of airborne silt.) This mix of soils gives the wine powerful aromatics and vivacious energy.The peachy, herbal flavors and mouth-watering acidity Sylvaner is known for really shine through here, and make this blend perfect for enjoying with Alpine cheeses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kermit Lynch","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40139168710698,"sku":"","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Kuentz-Bas_Blanc_Alsace_France_2020.jpg?v=1762981979","url":"https:\/\/marchantofwine.com\/products\/kuentz-bas-alsace-blanc-alsace-france-2020","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}