12.5% abv, Dambach-la-Valle, imported by BBR Imports Inc.
“I’m back!” announces this fascinating Chasselas wine from Domaine Ruhlmann in Alsace (translated from ‘me revoila’). “My grape variety has almost disappeared in the Alsace wine region. But thanks to the Ruhlmann family, my red and white grapes are still alive. Enjoy my voluptuous taste with hints of agrume aromas.” It’s a cute, for better lack of word, sentiment for a grape variety that doesn’t get a lot of focus outside of neighboring Switzerland. Chasselas is found to a small extent in the vineyards of northeast France, and to an even smaller extend in the Upper Loire Valley and the mountain vineyards of Savoie. So what a treat to indulge in the forbidden fruit.
Tasting note: The Ruhlmann Chasselas is medium gold in color with a clean nose of medium intensity and delicate aromas of rose petals, lilac, beeswax, lycee, and white peach. In the mouth it has medium acid, medium body, a medium+ finish and exotic flavors of nectarine, navel orange, a touch of grapey Muscat and a fascinating hint of alpine balsam and juniper berry. There is a pleasant mineral backbone of slate, and although people often attribute Chasselas to having a muted profile with neutral flavors, I found this example to be quite balanced and expressive; very quaffable. This is good wine 8.9/10. Drink now!
