The Winemaker: Domaine Schlumberger
"In Vino Veritas" (Truth in Vine)
Updated 04/06/2007
Submitting Gewürztraminer Wines for Review: Wines should be submitted to
GWTRAMINER SAMPLER, W259 N9116 Hwy 164, Hartland, WI. 53029-9010, U.S.A.
There is no charge or reimbursement for wines submitted, and though all submitted wines will be tasted, I can't guarantee that this will occur, or that a review will appear on this website. For each wine submitted, please send (2) bottles, unless limited by production, then (1) bottle will be satisfactory.
Mike Reilly
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Rating explanation see: Wine Ratings - Unraveling Their Meaning in right column -->
Note: In Robert M. Parker, Jr's 6th Edition, Schlumberger has slipped to an "Average" quality producer, and no tasting notes are listed in the book.
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Cuvée Anne
(Gewurztraminer Sélection de Grains Nobles) This vintage has
astonishing elegance, not marked by noble rot since the grapes were desiccated
when they were picked. Harvesting took place on 26 and 27 November with a
potential level of alcohol of 16.8% ! This wine has very fine, complex
aromas and is smooth without being at all heavy. This exceptional wine
will be appreciated on its own at any time, in any circumstances and will
delight collectors of fine wines. Alcohol : 13.2% - Residual sugar : 58
g/l This very fine wine was named after Christine's first daughter, Anne Schlumberger. It only appears in the finest vintages : 1945, 1947, 1959, 1964, 1971, 1976, 1988, 1989, 1997 and 1998. |
| Probably the most famous Alsatian wine, the Traminer came to us from the north of Italy and dates from the 16th century. The Gewurztraminer (literally spicy or musky Traminer) is a selection of the most fragrant Traminers, and became known as Gewurztraminer towards 1950.Full-bodied, powerful and balanced, with a good structure and a very subtle, elegant fragrance, the Gewurztraminer is a seductive, fresh, and sometimes sweet, wine which ages well whilst keeping its floral fragrance. Alcohol : 13° 2 - Acidity (grs/litre sulphuric acid) : 2.9 grs/l - Acidity (grs/litre tartric acid) : 4.5 grs/l - Residual Sugar : : 8 grs/l This Gewurztraminer PRINCES ABBES 2001 comes from young vines and is a beautiful golden yellow colour. It is very floral and elegant and has a beautifully intense, delicate, particularly charming nose. Rich on the palate, it is fresh, spicy and dry on the finish. Youthful and fleshy, with attractive liveliness, this wine will come into its own in three years. It will make an original, fresh aperitif or go very well with all types of spicy food, dishes with fine herbs, strong cheeses etc. |
Served cool but never iced, you will easily be seduced, particularly when it shows you just what it is made of. |
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Gewurztraminer Fleur : A selection made by the domaine of the richest Gewurztraminers. Very charming, it is a very delicate wine with a pronounced mellow character. Without claiming to be from "Vendanges tardives" (late-picked grapes), it has a very attractive vendange tardive character. An evocative name and its " elegance " make it one of Domaine Schlumberger's most popular wines. |
Cellaring potential : 4 to 7 years. Serve at : 8°C. - Alcohol : 12.6° - Acidity (grs/litre sulphuric acid) : 3.0 grs/l - Acidity (grs/litre tartric acid) : 4.6 grs/l - Residual Sugar : : 13 grs/l. This Gewurztraminer FLEUR 2001 comes from fully mature vines on very steep slopes with very low yields. It is a beautiful golden yellow colour and a very floral wine. It develops a delicate nose with a particularly charming floral character. The supple palate is marked by a slight sweetness due to the residual sugar. This wine finishes with good length and is very much appreciated by women. It makes a very convivial aperitif, and this charming wine also goes beautifully well with foie gras or all types of exotic cooking and dishes with fine herbs. It is equally at home with savory sweet dishes, likes spices like curry and others, and delicately brings out the best in certain fermented cheeses (like blue-veined cheese or Munster for example). |
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The " S " of Schlumberger : This white wine comes from a blend of three grape varieties : Pinot blanc (for body), Sylvaner (for freshness), Gewurztraminer (for fragrance) ; and some Domaine Schlumberger reserve wines, that is from different years, are also blended with it. We carefully study the taste and quality of this special blend from year to year resulting in an astonishing, original, unique wine. Its strong points : its charm, lightness, pronounced fruitiness and suppleness. Cellaring potential : 2 years. Serve at : 8°C. |
| Gewurztraminer Grand Cru KITTERLE 2001 : Gewurztraminer Kitterlé often seems like a late-picked wine. Its aromas are of a rare elegance, with discreet notes of spice and ripe fruit. On the palate there is a fine, classy richness. Never heavy, this wine is charming in its youth and has fine cellaring potential : 8 to 10 years, or more depending on the vintage. Serve at : 10°C. - Alcohol : 12° 5 - Acidity (grs/litre sulphuric acid) : 2.96 grs/l - Acidity (grs/litre tartric acid) : - Residual Sugar : : 50 grs/l A beautiful golden yellow colour, it is the archetype of a terroir wine. Its Gewurztraminer typicity is set back at the moment and the wine is haughty and reserved. Its very fine nose is still discreet and lets a fragrance of dry fruit and soft spices peep through. It is supple and beautifully rich on the palate. |
This wine is very long and the unheavy mellowness and discreetly spicy freshness are well-balanced. An original and popular aperitif, it is perfectly suited to all fine cuisine (foie gras for example). A wine that will keep beautifully for many, many years. |
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Gewurztraminer Grand Cru KESSLER 2000 : The Gewurztraminer Kessler is very fragrant with pronounced, elegant, floral notes. |
It has charming, delicate mellowness on the palate ; the spicy character of the grape variety is very present and makes the finish lively. Full and harmonious, this wine reflects its sandstone terroir well. Cellaring potential : 6 to 8 years. Serve at : 10°C. - Alcohol : 13° - Acidity (grs/litre sulphuric acid) : 2.08 grs/l - Acidity (grs/litre tartric acid) : - Residual Sugar : : 37 grs/l It has a brilliant, yellow straw colour. The delicate, fragrant nose is not at all exuberant but has lots of finesse and clearly noticeable notes of flowers and pepper. Harvested when the grapes were over-ripe the alcoholic potential of this wine when the grapes were picked was that of a late-harvested wine. Although the wine has kept some of its residual sugar it is not very noticeable when the wine is tasted. An excellent partner for exotic flavours and fine cuisine, it marries well with strong cheeses, such as Munster. Also works well with warm flaky pastry desserts (tarte tatin for example), and a great accompaniement to foie gras or as an aperitif. |
| #Vendanges Tardives : Cuvée Christine : 1999 (Gewurztraminer) Certainly the most famous of them all. It is named after Ernest Schlumberger's wife, who played an important role in the dynasty. This charming wine is full of nuances and has never-ending softness. Notes of ripe fruit are starting to appear in the intense nose. It is powerful and harmonious on the palate and picks up clearly noticeable notes of lychees and roses on the finish. Cellaring potential : 10 years and more. Serve at : 10°C. Alcohol : 12° 6 - Acidity (grs/litre sulphuric acid) : 3.4 grs/l - Acidity (grs/litre tartric acid) : 5.1 grs/l - Residual Sugar : : 61 grs/l Les Vendanges Tardives, or late harvest wines (appellation since 1984), are made from over-mature grapes, several weeks after the main harvest. Unlike many sweet wines, these keep their freshness and natural acidity, maintaining their unique flavours. The 'crown jewel' of Domaine SCHLUMBERGER, CUVEE CHRISTINE is harvested just before winter sets in, from carefully selected parcels of older vines. A very delicate wine, Cuvée CHRISTINE is only made in very good years. |
#Cuvée CHRISTINE 1999 : a luminous clear gold colour. The nose has scents of ripe fruit and picks up notes of quince jelly and mango. The palate is delightfully smooth, delicate and full, with dazzling fruitiness and delicate spicy nuances. It is very long on the finish and the sugar which is still very much there is balanced with welcome freshness. It is certain to have great cellaring potential. A beautiful match for Foie Gras, this wine will sit equally well with blue cheese, a fine dessert (flakey pastries, warm apple tart, sabayon with red fruits, for example), or enjoyed alone. Keep for 10 to 12 years. Serve at 10°C. |
All labeling and descriptions shown above are copyright of Domaine Schlumberger.
Fleur GW 1998; Gold. Deliciously pungently spicy gewurzy aromas. Baby oil, white flowers (think perfumed hand cream), and the scent of roses linger along with the musk of pink smoker lollies. Lemon oiliness, rich flavors, full of citruses of all kinds. Lifted, clean, refreshing! Nice oily texture. Very long, rich, spicy, delicious. $31.00. ***** Sue Courtney 21 Feb 2001
Vin D’Alsace, Fleur, Gewürztraminer 1998, A rich, full-bodied, intense demi-sec Gewürztraminer with excellent varietal definition. A nose of litchee and cinnamon leads to a palate with sweet litchee and grapefruit notes. The finish is long and pleasant. Serve chilled with Roquefort cheese or spicy dishes such as curry. $21.00
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Sélection de Grains Nobles Cuvée Anne Gewurztraminer 1998, This very fine wine was named after Christine's first daughter, Anne Schlumberger. It only appears in the finest vintages : 1945, 1947, 1959, 1964, 1971, 1976, 1988, 1989, 1997 and 1998. This wine has very fine, complex aromas, is smooth on the palate and picks up clearly noticeable exotic notes on the fresh finish. Cellaring potential : 10 years and more. Serve at : 10°C. Alcohol : 12° 8 - Acidity (grs/litre sulphuric acid) : 3.4 grs/l - Acidity (grs/litre tartric acid) : 5.2 grs/l - Residual Sugar : : 90 grs/l The noble rote has discreetly left its mark and promises that this will be a slow maturing wine with great cellaring potential. This wine has very fine, complex aromas and is smooth without being at all heavy. It is an exceptional wine which will be enjoyed on its own. |
| Rating | Vintage |
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Sélection de Grains Nobles Cuvée Anne Gewurztraminer 1997, Alcohol : 13° 2 - Acidity (grs/litre sulphuric acid) : 3.2 grs/l - Acidity (grs/litre tartaric acid) : 4.8 grs/l - Residual Sugar : : 58 grs/l Cuvée Anne is a rare wine which is made on average every 7 years (when conditions are right). The 1997 vintage is extremely elegant, with no botrytis, the grapes being dried when picked. The harvest took place between 26th and 27th November, with potential alcohol of 16°8. A wine with fine and complex aromas, unctuous without heaviness, this exceptional cuvée can be appreciated at any time, on any occasion and will be a great addition to any wine cellar. Revue des Vins de France : "In the mythical Cuvée Anne, made only in exceptionally good vintages, the 'Grains Nobles' of the Maison Schlumberger are at their best. The intensity of the wine is due to the over-ripe grapes and 'passerillage', which gives the wine aromas of rhubarb. This fat and powerful gewürztraminer is a great success. |
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Cuvee Anne Gewurztraminer 1997, 500mL) Alsace, France; winemaker's notes: Made from grapes picked which have been touched by the Noble Rot, this cuvee has a place among the finest French wines. It is refined and complex with consistent aromas of rose petals, tropical fruit and exotic spices. On the mouth the wine is rich and concentrated followed by a long finish. The slight acidity of the wine creates a balanced structure and will allow the wine to age gracefully for years. |
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Gewurztraminer Cuvée Ann 1989, '88, Guebwiller |
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Gewurztraminer Cuvée Christine 1988 |
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| 92RP | #Gewurztraminer Cuvée Christine Schlumberger 1985 |
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GC Kessler Gewurztraminer 2000; winemaker's notes: The wine is powerful and rich, characterized by its smoothness, balance, and yellow-straw color. The nose is delicate and aromatic, accented with notes of flowers and pepper. It develops in the mouth softly, without heaviness yet achieves great harmony. Because the grapes are collected when overripe the residual sugars are considerable, although they remain unobtrusive. |
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Gewurztraminer Kessler 1989 |
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| 90RP | #Gewurztraminer Kessler 1985 |
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Gewurztraminer Kitterlé 1989 |
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| 85RP | Gewurztraminer Kitterlé 1986 |
| 87RP | Gewurztraminer Kitterlé 1985 |
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