Riesling Schoelhammer 2007
Famille Hugel
“As far back as family memories go, the Schoelhammer, at the heart of the historic Schoenenbourg vineyard which overlooks Riquewihr, has always been amongst our most favoured single vineyards. From 2007 we decided that the Riesling from this exceptional site, traditionally vinified apart, also merited to be bottled separately. Schoelhammer seeks to reveal the unique character of a dry, mineral Riesling from a marl-rich terroir, deep and suave in style, and which takes time to express itself fully.” -Etienne Hugel
Terroir: Produced from the finest plot of the Hugel estate in the heart of the grand cru Schoenenbourg vineyard. Schoelhammer covers a mere 30 rows of vines dedicated to Riesling and organically farmed. Schoelhammer’s specific vines grow on Triassic Keuper marl soil from the secondary era (marine sediments, c.200 million years) with a 45% clay content, planted at an altitude of 1000 feet, facing due south, on a slope that averages 25 degrees. Harvest date : 11 October 2007.
Vinification: The grapes are hand harvested and taken in small crates to the press which is filled by gravity, without any pumping or other mechanical intervention. After pressing, the must is decanted for a few hours, then fermented in temperature-controlled barrels (at 64°F). The wine is racked just once, before natural clarification during the course of the winter. The following spring, the wine is lightly filtered just before bottling, and the bottles are then aged extensively in Hugel’s cellars until released for sale.
Additional Information
2007 was a benchmark vintage in Alsace. Having enjoyed the longest period of maturation for the past 25 years, the grapes were perfectly ripe and healthy. Very gentle winter, a late bud burst around April 10th, very dry and warm April caused accelerated early vegetative growth. Flowering began May 20th and finished in record time. Very early veraison from July 16th. Magnificent weather throughout the harvest with no rain. THe vegetative cycle ended without excessive temperatures and the final weeks were perfect for slow final maturation, an ideal situation for Riesling.
An authentic, crisp bouquet of spring flowers and fruit, with a precise minerality that is rare to find, opens in an elegant, harmonious way to reveal a joyful, lively and youthful character.
Hints of green apple, white peach, lime, lemon balm, verbena, almond blossom and vineyard flowers are upheld by a fine mineral expression that is subtle, delicate and refined.
The bouquet is deep, complex and very expressive, while the palate is overwhelmed by myriad tastes and sensations.
The wine flows over the palate, filling the mouth with a richly generous yet invigorating freshness. The spirited character and breeding of Riesling is allied to the complexity, depth, richness and minerality of the unique Schoelhammer terroir, the quintessence of the Schoenenbourg.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Alsace
- Winemaker: Marc Hugel
- Sustainability: Organic Practices
- Soil: Triassic Keuper marl
- Avg Vine Age: 20+ years
- Yield: 31 hl/ha
- Alcohol: 12.5%
- Ttl Acidity: 7.85 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 2.7 g/l
- Avg Production: 2534 bottles
- Sizes Available: 750ml
- Pack Size: 6/750ml
- Varietals: 100% Riesling
Recent Press
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Vinous Author: Ian D'Agata
Date: Friday, December 8, 2017Bright dark straw-yellow. Apple, fennel, sweet spices and minerals plus hints of rose water and chamomile on the complex nose. Then bright and fresh, but with a suave mouthfeel to the buttery, ripe citrus fruit and balsamic nuances. Finishes long and peppery, with a bright juiciness. This is actually drinking very well right now but will age for another decade at least. Tastes completely dry (2.7 g/L residual sugar) and has an almost steely personality (3.08 pH and 7.80 g/L), but its the nose that is especially beautiful. I wasnt much of a fan of the 2007 Schoelhammer (I have retasted it three different times since writing last years note, and though more refined, it is still not up my alley) but I do like the 2008 more. I may be completely wrong, but my hunch is that this site delivers its best results in colder years. Time will tell.Grade: 92+ Points -
Score: 96 Points
JamesSuckling.com Author: James Suckling
Date: Friday, November 18, 2016Decadent and rich with mango, papaya, citrus, and mineral. Slate too. Full-bodied, dry and fruity. It really shows great length and complexity. First vintage of this single vineyard wine from the best parcel of the Schonenberg. Contrasty. Drink now. -
The Wine Advocate Author: Neal Martin
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2015"The Hugel-yellow 2007 Riesling Schoelhammer (375 ml) shows a deep and subtle, fresh and aristocratic, highly noble, precise and multi-layered bouquet with herbal flavors (thyme) and notes of crushed almonds, white fruits, fresh lemon juice, grated lime peels and finely-grounded stone meal. This is a nobly fragrant and coolish mineral expression of the Keuper marl soils of the Grand Cru Schoenenbourg and, almost exactly eight years after the grapes were picked (on October 11), the wine shows a very nice and inviting maturity. On the palate, this full-bodied yet very elegant, intriguingly pure and complex Riesling is dense, intense and tightly structured by its expressive mineral backbone and the laser-sharp 7.7 grams per liter acidity. Thus, the charming seven grams of residual sugar are well balanced although detectable in the round and fruit-intense, slightly sweet finish. This wine has a great fruit finesse and is ready to drink but will stay forever young."Grade: 94+ Points -
Score: 96 Points
JamesSuckling.com Author: James Suckling
Date: Monday, October 5, 2015"Decadent and rich with mango, papaya, citrus, and mineral. Slate too. Full-bodied, dry and fruity. It really shows great length and complexity. First vintage of this single vineyard wine from the best parcel of the Schonenberg. Contrasty. Drink now."
