2016 Agathe Bursin Bollenberg Muscat

From an east-northeast facing cooler portion of the Bollenberg further south than her Bollenberg Riesling, with deeper loess (well draining, fine decomposed stone and river sediment) with the calcaire bedrock en profondeur (deeper down). Agathe purchased this parcel in 2001. It is a blend of roughly 20% Muscat d’Alsace (the type of Muscat that yields a juicier, riper, more honeyed/primary style of wine, with this variety found in many parts of France) and 80% Muscat d’Ottonel (the type of Muscat that yields a finer, more floral, “classier” style of wine; the Ottonel seems to be a variety that is unique to Alsace). Man oh man, is this gorgeously floral and classy aromatically! In the mouth, this is toute en finesse et delicatesse (all on finesse and delicacy), with wonderful precision and elegance. Its purity of juicy, more floral-than-honeyed fresh fruit is charming as heck. It has good light minerality to boot, making this as good of an example of the little known virtues of Alsatian Muscat, perhaps the greatest region for the variety in the world, as I could hope to offer. Again, simply Bravo, Agathe! A little star * awarded here.

As a point of reference, here is Ian D’Agata’s review of the the 2015 version: “Vivid straw-green. Explosive floral nuances on the nose are typical of Muscat Ottonel. Then juicy and austere in the middle but offering pretty lime and saline flavors that linger nicely. Fresh and long, this Muscat really resonates with floral nuances on the bright finish. Lovely wine. An 80 percent Muscat Ottonel and 20 percent Muscat d’Alsace blend.” 93 Ian D’Agata for the 2015, NOT THE 2016 OFFERED HERE.