Damien Schlegel Pinot Gris Vendanges Tardives 2015

This is a late-harvest Pinot Gris from Domaine Damien Schlegel in Westhalten, Alsace, a family estate with 6 hectares of vines and HVE certification. The grapes come from the Vorbourg Grand Cru terroir of clay and limestone, though the wine was deliberately declassified. They were picked by hand in 2015, overripe and carefully selected. The nose is rich, with quince, honey, candied fruit and a light spiciness. The palate is dense and velvety with remarkable length, and the balance of sugar and acidity keeps it fresh and precise.