Binner (Alsace)

The best Alsatian pinot noir I've had in the last two years was from, of all houses, Dopff & Irion. No, I can't explain it either. But progress is definitely being made, though I still think -- generalization ahead -- it's better in the Bas-Rhin than it is in the Haut-, even though this seems to defy reason.
 
originally posted by Thor:
The best Alsatian pinot noir I've had in the last two years was from, of all houses, Dopff & Irion.

Surprising as hell. Usually so mediocre that it's even available at supermarkets in Brazil.
 
Agreed. As I suggested, it was bewildering. I had to keep rechecking the label, just to make sure they didn't bring me the wrong bottle.
 
Barmes Buecher makes some good Pinot (Noir), although some people think they smell like kosher hot dogs. I won't agree or disagree, but the wines were pretty good. I'd still rather have a Burg - even a simple one, though.
 
I like Binner although their field blend, like all field blends with gewurtztraminer, tastes like gewurtztraminer and nothing else. I like it, but talk about destroying terroir.
 
Well, that's one of the nearly-insurmountable* problems with blends in Alsace. You have to leave out gewurztraminer, and muscat, and pinot gris, and you can't get your chasselas or auxerrois too ripe, and then...well, great, you've got a riesling/pinot blanc/sylvaner blend. Woo. And also, with the hoo. Or you pick the chasselas and auxerrois underripe. More hoo.

I don't think Binner's claiming "Les Saveurs" is a terroir wine, though.

*"Nearly" because there are, on occasion, exceptions.
 
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