Domaine Marcel Deiss (Alsace)
- Offer has now Expired -

A rare opportunity for lovers of Alsace and aromatic wines. Jean-Michel Deiss is descended from a family of winegrowers who first settled in Bergheim in 1744, and the grandson of Marcel Deiss, who founded the family winery in 1947. Over the course of twenty-five years Jean-Michel has brought Domaine Marcel Deiss into its modern era, and become acknowledged as one of the greatest white wine producers in the world. His limited production wines have been brought into NZ by Jean-Christophe Poizat at Maison Vauron and this is a rare opportunity for Casa del Vino customers to purchase at 'special offer' prices.

Domaine Marcel Deiss is located in Bergheim, a small and beautiful village nestled in the heart of the wine region of Alsace. The current generation Jean-Michel Deiss was born into a long-established family of wine growers, living in Bergheim since 1744. Today the Domaine consists of 26 hectares of hillside vineyards spread over 9 communes and approximately 20 kilometres. Along with his wife Clarisse, Jean-Michel has transformed the Domaine from an Alsatian also-ran to one of the most respected wineries on earth. In an area already known for producing great wines that speak of the soil Jean-Michel has through innovation and bravery taken his wines to new heights. Jean-Michel believes that it is the soil that should be praised and not a specific grape variety within it. So much so that Jean-Michel does the unthinkable for Alsace: he blends several different grape varieties together to create a wine that is from each individual vineyard, not an individual grape.

While blends of grapes were once common (called Edelzweicker) blending grapes from within a single vineyard, particularly a Grand Cru site, was considered blasphemy. To top it off, Deiss often uses the noble Riesling in his blends.�And what of the wines themselves? They offer a unique blend of richness and complexity, all the while staying true to the spirit and nature of great Alsatian wine. Deiss wines speak of Alsace, and though in some it may be hard to determine which grape is being employed with which wine, the fresh and complex fruit, body, weight and intense minerality all speak of the vineyard. Though he may march to the beat of a different drummer, Deiss creates wines that are at once traditional and visionary. Though they may challenge the notion of where a great Alsatian wine begins and ends, they are indeed magical and certainly Alsatian no matter what anyone may say about them. In the long run, isn't that the most important thing? To Jean-Michel it is at the least. Domaine Marcel Deiss wines must be experienced!

Tradition WinesGrape variety prevails, supplemented by features of the specific vintage (age 5-6 years)

Pinot Blanc "Bergheim" 2008
"With magnificent aromas characteristic of this varietal, this round Muscat seduces and will not disappoint amateurs of this noble grape. The nose and palate are in harmony, concentrated on notes of elderberry and citrus, acacia and yellow peach."

Riesling 2008
"This Riesling displays acidity and freshness that give it a firm structure. Stony fruits on the nose and palate are filled out by minerals, citrus, earth and other notes as it opens up."

Pinot Gris "Bergheim" 2005
"Full and lush, but as with all Deiss wines, balanced, and even dignified. From the same village as the Riesling, from plains with a flat exposition."

Gewuztraminer "Bergheim"
"Displays abundant rose petal, brown spices, smoked meat, peppermint, black tea, and peach preserves in the nose. Glycerin-rich texture in the mouth, and a long, elegant, buoyant, subtly sweet, and intriguingly-complex finish featuring high-toned herbal essences, rose, tea and spice."

Terroir WinesField blends of varietals, designated by their specific terroir: referred to as AOC-recognized Premier Crus & Grand Crus (1er Cru, age 5-10 years; Grand Cru, age 20+ years)

1er Cru "Burg" 2007
"An exotic, off-dry style, with a round mouthfeel showcasing the lychee, rose petal, grapefruit peel and white pepper flavours. Clearly defined by the firm structure and good acidity, with a honeyed note lingering on the zesty finish."

1er Cru "Engelgarten" 2007
"Rare complexity, warm character, distinct aromatic personality of macerated citrus and cooked orange peel, and the balance between strength and finesse that are always the foundation of a great wine."

1er Cru "Rotenberg" 2007
"Honeyed apricot and spice notes are accented by orange marmalade and tangy acidity in this off-dry white. Light to medium-bodied and well-balanced, with a hint of sweet honeysuckle on the finish."

Grand Cru "Schoenenbourg" 2006
"Gardenia, lily, and chamomile backed by honey, brown spices, and herbal distillates, and hinting at ocean breezes. Creamy in texture and ultra-rich, packing copious helpings of candied citrus, herbal essences, marzipan, and honey, this nevertheless maintains elegance and refinement."

Grand Cru "Manbourg" 2006
"Reticent but complex aromas of flint, minerals, spices and smoke. A suggestion of exotic fruits. Very tactile, suave, finishing with a nut skin quality."