WEINBACH, FALLER & FILLES
100% Biodynamic since 2005. This tasting was by far the best overall performance, judged on score alone - hit after hit, and no misses at all. The sweet wines are especially excellent, but I left convinced that this is one of those producers whom you can trust unreservedly. There is a sort of anarchic brilliance to their wines: bewildering labels, confusing cuvées, fluctuating sweetness - but joy unconfined to drink.
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Réserve Sylvaner 2010 Alsace 16.5 Drink 2011-2014
Appley, dry, smooth, rather spicy and interesting. Lovely metal and mineral character to the texture and finish. More complexity than meets the nose. (RH) 13%
Appley, dry, smooth, rather spicy and interesting. Lovely metal and mineral character to the texture and finish. More complexity than meets the nose. (RH) 13%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Réserve Pinot Blanc 2010 Alsace 16.5 Drink 2011-2013
70% Auxerrois, 30% Pinot Blanc. Lovely mineral nerve to this, quite austere, but the fruit gives the necessary flesh to fill out the palate. ‘Juicy’ as Madame Faller puts it. (RH) 13.5%
70% Auxerrois, 30% Pinot Blanc. Lovely mineral nerve to this, quite austere, but the fruit gives the necessary flesh to fill out the palate. ‘Juicy’ as Madame Faller puts it. (RH) 13.5%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Cuvée Théo Riesling 2009 Alsace 16.5 Drink 2011-2016
Very sherbety, peachy, fragrant and with an almost Gewürz-y perfume. Very opulent, but finishing savoury with a mineral streak. (RH) 13.5%
Very sherbety, peachy, fragrant and with an almost Gewürz-y perfume. Very opulent, but finishing savoury with a mineral streak. (RH) 13.5%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Schlossberg Riesling 2009 Alsace Grand Cru 17 Drink 2011-2021
Fragrant, lively nose with a wonderful ripeness of fruit on the palate. Baked green apples, very approachable – no austerity at all, and great capacity for age, it seems. Fantastic length. (RH) 14%
Fragrant, lively nose with a wonderful ripeness of fruit on the palate. Baked green apples, very approachable – no austerity at all, and great capacity for age, it seems. Fantastic length. (RH) 14%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Cuvée Ste Catherine Riesling 2008 Alsace 17 Drink 2011-2021
Mineral and limey, really layered and rich, but dry to finish. Super intense and with a lovely oily length. Wonderful hint of oxidative character – or is it phenolic? – adding some edge without spoiling. (RH) 13.5%
Mineral and limey, really layered and rich, but dry to finish. Super intense and with a lovely oily length. Wonderful hint of oxidative character – or is it phenolic? – adding some edge without spoiling. (RH) 13.5%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Schlossberg Cuvée Ste Catherine Riesling 2009 Alsace Grand Cru 17 Drink 2011-2018
Some oyster-shell character, lime juice, loads of concentration, dry yet rich with the alcohol. Not hot, not too weighty, but bold and with definite elegance. (RH) 14%
Some oyster-shell character, lime juice, loads of concentration, dry yet rich with the alcohol. Not hot, not too weighty, but bold and with definite elegance. (RH) 14%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Schlossberg Cuvée Ste Catherine L'Inédit Riesling 2009 Alsace Grand Cru 16.5 Drink 2011-2018
Not quite late harvest – but has some botrytis. First produced in 1998. Picked at PA 15%. RS 18 g/l RS. Tropical, apricot and a honeyed finish. Doesn’t quite have the finesse of the regular Ste Catherine. (RH) 14%
Not quite late harvest – but has some botrytis. First produced in 1998. Picked at PA 15%. RS 18 g/l RS. Tropical, apricot and a honeyed finish. Doesn’t quite have the finesse of the regular Ste Catherine. (RH) 14%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Schlossberg Riesling Sélection de Grains Nobles 2007 Alsace 19 Drink 2011-2021
Nose doesn't seem up to much, but then the palate delivers sudden, outstanding range of flavour. This is brilliant – so sweet, yet with such savoury richness. Great Riesling definition too, seething acidity, fine balance, multiplex flavour. Needs time for the nose to develop. (RH) 10.5%
Nose doesn't seem up to much, but then the palate delivers sudden, outstanding range of flavour. This is brilliant – so sweet, yet with such savoury richness. Great Riesling definition too, seething acidity, fine balance, multiplex flavour. Needs time for the nose to develop. (RH) 10.5%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Schlossberg Cuvée Ste Catherine L'Inédit Riesling 2001 Alsace Grand Cru 17.5 Drink 2005-2012
RS 25 g/l. Proper gold colour, amazing buttery, creamy consistency. Mature dried fruits with a host of spices and a long, honey glazed finish. Rather brilliant, splendid maturity, although I wouldn’t keep it much longer. (RH)
RS 25 g/l. Proper gold colour, amazing buttery, creamy consistency. Mature dried fruits with a host of spices and a long, honey glazed finish. Rather brilliant, splendid maturity, although I wouldn’t keep it much longer. (RH)
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Cuvée Ste Catherine Pinot Gris 2009 Alsace 17.5+ Drink 2011-2018
I like this a lot – great roasted peanut character. Loads of body, loads of flavour, long finish and enough structure to last. I can’t think of a better Pinot Gris that I know. (RH) 14.5%
I like this a lot – great roasted peanut character. Loads of body, loads of flavour, long finish and enough structure to last. I can’t think of a better Pinot Gris that I know. (RH) 14.5%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Altenbourg Pinot Gris 2008 Alsace 17 Drink 2011-2016
RS 25 g/l. NB Altenbourg is a lieu-dit, not to be confused with the Grand Cru Altenberg. Honeyed, rich, dried oranges, sweet spice, a bit of mushroom. Marmalade, apricot, warm and expressive. (RH) 14.5%
RS 25 g/l. NB Altenbourg is a lieu-dit, not to be confused with the Grand Cru Altenberg. Honeyed, rich, dried oranges, sweet spice, a bit of mushroom. Marmalade, apricot, warm and expressive. (RH) 14.5%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Trie Spéciale Pinot Gris Vendange Tardive 2008 Alsace 18 Drink 2011-2016
TA 9.9 g/l. Wonderful, so mouthfilling and complex. Amazing tarte tatin, honey, herbs, long, long finish. Such profundity! (RH) 10.5%
TA 9.9 g/l. Wonderful, so mouthfilling and complex. Amazing tarte tatin, honey, herbs, long, long finish. Such profundity! (RH) 10.5%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Altenbourg Pinot Gris Vendange Tardive 2008 Alsace 17 Drink 2011-2015
RS 90 g/l. Very good, but not as soaring as the Trie Spécial. Layers of sweet, tropical fruit, orange peel, cinnamon and a touch of earthy funk on the finish. (RH) 12%
RS 90 g/l. Very good, but not as soaring as the Trie Spécial. Layers of sweet, tropical fruit, orange peel, cinnamon and a touch of earthy funk on the finish. (RH) 12%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Cuvée Théo Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace 16.5 Drink 2011-2015
RS 25 g/l. Roses, apricots, not at all overdone, great restraint. Long finish, slightly grippy but that balances nicely with the sweetness and freshness. (RH) 13.5%
RS 25 g/l. Roses, apricots, not at all overdone, great restraint. Long finish, slightly grippy but that balances nicely with the sweetness and freshness. (RH) 13.5%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Cuvée Laurence Gewurztraminer 2008 Alsace 17 Drink 2011-2015
RS 36 g/l. Honey-covered fruits, floral bouquet in full effect, slightly bitter on the finish. Good restraint again, lovely control: all length no flab. (RH) 13.5%
RS 36 g/l. Honey-covered fruits, floral bouquet in full effect, slightly bitter on the finish. Good restraint again, lovely control: all length no flab. (RH) 13.5%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Altenbourg Gewurztraminer 2008 Alsace 17+ Drink 2011-2014
RS 40 g/l. Tremendous vibrancy and life in this, fine honey and honeysuckle character with a long floral finish. (RH) 13.5%
RS 40 g/l. Tremendous vibrancy and life in this, fine honey and honeysuckle character with a long floral finish. (RH) 13.5%
Weinbach, Faller & Filles, Furstentum Gewurztraminer 2008 Alsace Grand Cru 17.5 Drink 2011-2016
Spices up front, lots of floral character. Wonderful freshness and viscosity with a tempting, drinkable balance. Great restraint – especially for grand cru level. (RH) 13%
Spices up front, lots of floral character. Wonderful freshness and viscosity with a tempting, drinkable balance. Great restraint – especially for grand cru level. (RH) 13%
RS 160 g/l. Again, quite stunning aroma. Great body, outstanding clarity of fruit and a sudden late acidity to prevent it losing shape. Lengthy, round, exciting, too many fruits to mention and a wonderful botrytis nutty character to finish. (RH) 10.5%
