1998

Density and balance

The grapes

The vines flowered early in good climatic conditions. The summer months were hot and sunny with a few thunder storms and it was thought the harvest would be good. However, the exceptionally hot weather, temperatures up to 40° C, started to burn the grapes at the ripening stage, but fortunately did not do too much damage. There was a little more rain at the beginning of September and then mild weather until the end of the harvest. The winemakers were happy.

The wines

Potential alcohol levels were quite high and acidity was good. The following are some examples:

	Potential alcohol	Acidity (g/l in tartric acidity)
Sylvaner Cuvée Oscar	13,4	6,15
Riesling Grand Cru Vorbourg	13,5	7,8
Riesling Clos Saint Landelin	14,1	7,5
Pinot gris Lutzeltal	14,6	6,45
Pinot gris Clos Saint Landelin	17,4	6,74
Gewurztraminer Clos Saint Landelin	16,6	5,39

The fermentation of the must was regular and the temperatures did not go too high. The wine was matured on lees and bottling took place at the beginning of 2000. The wines are powerful, straight forward and firm with fruity aromas. This year they are marked by their limestone terroir or georegion. They are less exuberant than 1997, but more profound.

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