Having worked their vineyards on organic principles for many years, since 2000 the Domaine has moved towards a full conversion to biodynamic culture in accordance with their conviction that “the pursuit of excellence in harmony with the earth” will express both terroir and varietal character more dramatically. Soft, sensual wines are produced from the flat alluvial deposits in the valley, whilst the combined calcareous and marl soils of the 360 metre-high Hengst vineyard yield rich, full-bodied wines and those from the deep granite soil of Brand are incisive and fine-structured. Artificial chemicals and fertilisers are prohibited and the soil is maintained by mechanical cultivation and green cover. The average age of the vines is 25 years and with hard pruning and the use of only natural fertilizers, yields at Josmeyer are far lower than the average for Alsace.
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The 2018 Grand Cru Hengst Riesling blends all the six parcels that were picked between September 28 and October 9 and vinified them in cask until the bottling in early July 2019. The wine is very intense, fresh and pure on the complex, lemony and still phenolic nose. Full-bodied, rich and very elegant on the palate, this is a lush but refined and sustainably saline Hengst with grapefruit bitterness and a long and promising finish. This is a powerful and age-worthy Riesling of great complexity even if not generosity in terms of perfect ripeness. 13.3% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in May 2022.