Albert Mann is a biodynamic producer from Alsace. I don’t mind a bit of Alsation Riesling action. As good as the Mosel, Rheingau, the Nahe and other German regions are I tend to think Alsace gets overlooked at times. It does offer a worthwhile point of difference. The 2011 vintage was no 2009 but some good wines were still made. Imported by World Wine Estates.
This needs a little air to open up at the moment. Then it offers honey, lemon sorbet, pears and a touch of saline minerality. Generous - shows decent intensity and length without being anything outstanding. Soft acids, good shape. Chewy phenolics to wrap things up. Probably an early drinker I’d suggest – sometime within the next five years – and rather pleasant at that. 90 Good
Region: Alsace, France
Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $35 (375ml)
Tasted: May 2013
Albert Mann was never one of my Alsace favourites. Nice to see screw cap these days. I used to drink a lot of Alsace (I can’t quite get to Alsatian – it sort of sounds like we’re talking about dogs!) wine, but the corks got the better of me.
MichaelC
Yes, I have a few producers from Alsace ahead in the pecking order…but the screwcaps and 375ml bottles are very welcome. I kind of like ‘Alsation’ because it does sound like I’m talking about dogs
What’s your vibe on 2011 versus 2009 from Alsace – what’s the scope of comparison? I was over there looking at Albert Mann’s wines in 2009/10, wasn’t that excited by 2009 or their bottled wines from 2009 subsequently, comparative to their track record, though I do like Albert Mann’s wines in general. Charming folk too. Curious. MB
I’ve probably tasted ten Rieslings tops (in a fashion I’m comfortable with. Not really a fan of brief tastings) from each vintage, so there’s the big caveat. But over those tasted I’ve felt the 2009s have displayed more focus, structure and length. Have cellared a couple. The 2011s have felt more like good early drinking fun. Generalisations I know but that’s my (somewhat limited) reading of the two vintages.
Cool. Gotcha!