Charles Frey, 'Macération' Alsace AOC, 2022
The Frey family were pioneers in France's Alsace region, converting their vineyards to organic farming practices in 1997 and eventually being certified Demeter Biodynamic. Today, the winery is still pushing the boundaries of sustainability as the third generation of the Frey family has taken over. Their 14 hectares of holdings above the medieval village of Dambach-La-Ville, are backed up against the foothills of the Vosges mountains, shielded from prevailing winds on the edge of a plain stretching down to the Rhine river. The family manages 4 different vineyards on south-east facing slopes that feature granite soils. This type of earth compels the roots to penetrate deep into the ground to find nutrients. All told, the areas vineyards are very well situated to produce stunning wines.
‘Maceration’ is a skin contact blend that is predominantly Gewurztraminer with a touch of Muscat. Fermentation on the skins for 2 weeks with native yeast, takes place in stainless steel tanks and is then followed by a 9 month aging period in 600L barrels. It is bottled unfiltered with a minimal addition of sulfites.
According to Vinepair’s review of the 2021 vintage (which they named one of their 50 best wines of ‘23), “The nose and palate are thirst quenching with notes of blood oranges, grapefruits, and juicy apricots. The palate has depth and tannin while still being extremely refreshing, slaking your thirst and readying your palate for more.”
In our opinion, the same could be said of the ‘22.
The Frey family were pioneers in France's Alsace region, converting their vineyards to organic farming practices in 1997 and eventually being certified Demeter Biodynamic. Today, the winery is still pushing the boundaries of sustainability as the third generation of the Frey family has taken over. Their 14 hectares of holdings above the medieval village of Dambach-La-Ville, are backed up against the foothills of the Vosges mountains, shielded from prevailing winds on the edge of a plain stretching down to the Rhine river. The family manages 4 different vineyards on south-east facing slopes that feature granite soils. This type of earth compels the roots to penetrate deep into the ground to find nutrients. All told, the areas vineyards are very well situated to produce stunning wines.
‘Maceration’ is a skin contact blend that is predominantly Gewurztraminer with a touch of Muscat. Fermentation on the skins for 2 weeks with native yeast, takes place in stainless steel tanks and is then followed by a 9 month aging period in 600L barrels. It is bottled unfiltered with a minimal addition of sulfites.
According to Vinepair’s review of the 2021 vintage (which they named one of their 50 best wines of ‘23), “The nose and palate are thirst quenching with notes of blood oranges, grapefruits, and juicy apricots. The palate has depth and tannin while still being extremely refreshing, slaking your thirst and readying your palate for more.”
In our opinion, the same could be said of the ‘22.
The Frey family were pioneers in France's Alsace region, converting their vineyards to organic farming practices in 1997 and eventually being certified Demeter Biodynamic. Today, the winery is still pushing the boundaries of sustainability as the third generation of the Frey family has taken over. Their 14 hectares of holdings above the medieval village of Dambach-La-Ville, are backed up against the foothills of the Vosges mountains, shielded from prevailing winds on the edge of a plain stretching down to the Rhine river. The family manages 4 different vineyards on south-east facing slopes that feature granite soils. This type of earth compels the roots to penetrate deep into the ground to find nutrients. All told, the areas vineyards are very well situated to produce stunning wines.
‘Maceration’ is a skin contact blend that is predominantly Gewurztraminer with a touch of Muscat. Fermentation on the skins for 2 weeks with native yeast, takes place in stainless steel tanks and is then followed by a 9 month aging period in 600L barrels. It is bottled unfiltered with a minimal addition of sulfites.
According to Vinepair’s review of the 2021 vintage (which they named one of their 50 best wines of ‘23), “The nose and palate are thirst quenching with notes of blood oranges, grapefruits, and juicy apricots. The palate has depth and tannin while still being extremely refreshing, slaking your thirst and readying your palate for more.”
In our opinion, the same could be said of the ‘22.
