Le Sommelier Inc.

Certified Organic (ECOCERT)

Varietals: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Beurot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 13%

Tasting note: This wine is made in the tradition of dense plantations, proper care of the soil and forcing the roots deep in the soil. This work, done biodynamically, is the optimal way to ensure that the subtle link between a vine and its terroir can be properly expressed in the wine. Bottled without fining or filtration, this wine should be decanted, and may have some sediment, which is a natural part of its complexity.

Reviews:

"[Deiss’] 2004 Pinot Blanc incorporates a sizeable measure of "Pinot Beurot" - which he is avidly propagating and is at pains to distinguish from what he considers the less interesting, larger-berried, Pinot Gris - in addition to a smidgen of Pinot Noir. Aromas of honey, grapefruit zest, wood smoke, and dried yellow plum lead to an intense, resinous, rich, pungently zesty, honeyed, and silken-textured palate and faintly sweet sensation of super-ripe fruit that would put this wine completely beyond the bounds of Pinot Blanc norms were it not for its lipsmacking, juicy, elegant and infectious finish ... Note: We’ve recently heard from the producer that this wine will be sold under the name Pinot d’Alsace 2004." Score - 90 . (David Schildknecht, http://www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2008 )

"Curious to see a 2004 vintage Pinot d’Alsace here, but it is Deiss, after all. Deiss blends a good proportion of the rare but interesting pinot beurot into his pinot blanc, as well as a touch of pinot noir, and this is well above the average quality of most generic Pinot d’Alsace. The nose definitely shows a lot of evolution, but underneath the bruised apple and buckwheat honey there’s a brilliant streak of minerality. On the palate there’s considerable residual sugar, fat and depth, balanced by sufficient acidity, making this an interesting choice for piping hot crispy ginger beef. Nice value here if you enjoy more mature expressions of white wine." Tasted March 2010. Value Rating: *** 89 points . John Szabo MS, Wine Align

"From a leading organic producer of surprisingly rich and supple wines, this is shows a soft, rich nose yellow flowers, apple and honey. It’s smooth, soft and quite rich with a firm mineral back note. Excellent length. Pinot blanc character is always hard to pin down but this at least generous in its character. Excellent length." Tasted April 2010.  - 89 points . David Lawrason, Wine Align

"Domaine Marcel Deiss wines from Alsace in north eastern France are personal favourites of mine. Made using eco-friendly and fully biodynamic methods since 1997 (the pinnacle of organic back-to-nature farming) they are expressive and full of flavours. This lovely medium-full bodied white has lots of juicy ripe fruit with a hint of savoury pine nuts and honey. It’s smooth and delicious on its own or with a meal." Margaret Swaine, Wine Align

"Alsatian producer Marcel Deiss is, in my book, one of the more compelling adherents to the biodynamic movement, an extreme offshoot of organic viticulture. Biodynamic freaks have raised eyebrows, mine included, with their slavish adherence to lunar cycles, belief in extraterrestrial energy forces and the practice of fermenting manure in a buried cow horn. But you can’t argue with success when it does happen. Not all biodynamic wines are great, but most of Deiss’s are. Marcel Deiss Pinot d’Alsace 2004 ($17.95, No. 165365) is one of his more modest bottlings (his much more expensive premier cru and grand cru wines are hard to find). It’s a medium full-bodied white, based mainly on pinot blanc, that could handle some hearty fare. Almost off-dry, it’s plump with creamy peach and lychee and notes of ginger and spice. Think of mushroom-heavy preparations, cheeses, liver pâtés, even spicy Asian dishes." Pick of the Week (April 17, 2010), Beppi Crosariol, The Globe & Mail