“One of the most ambitious new estates … in Alsace.”
Here are new reviews and excellent scores for our very new partner from Alsace, Amelie & Charles Sparr in Wettolsheim. These are spectacular notes for this young estate and shows how hard work, respect for the land (they are organic & biodynamic pioneers) and a ton of passion can translate into great wines that should be discovered!
That Vinous too has finally dedicated a serious critic (Anne Krebiehl, MW) to this region is a crucial indicator that Alsace is finally ready for its spotlight — this new generation is making energetic, DRY Riesling wines and paying particular attention to terroir and shaking up a historic region for good.
VINOUS: From Alsace 2020s and 2021s: Just like Janus (Apr 2023) by Anne Krebiehl MW
Charles Sparr is the eighth generation of the Sparr family in Alsace … They have holdings in Hengst, Brand, Mambourg, Furstentum, Sporen and Schoenenbourg Grand Crus and in the Altenbourg and Rosenberg lieux-dits, which Sparr refers to as their premiers crus … Alsace, however, is in great need of more up-and-coming youngsters that change the perception of this appellation from within … The wines are precise and delicious, made by one of the most ambitious new estates to emerge in Alsace.
2020 Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg ‘Revelation’
Grown on various parcels mainly in the gypsum soils, the 2020 Riesling Schoenenbourg Grand Cru was vinified in stainless steel. It has a peppery, earthy, herbal aspect that soon verges into ripe peach and dried lemon peel. The vivid acidity of the palate seems buffered by layers of chalk. All the precision and coolness of the soil is there, making the mouth water, enticing you to take another sip of this sleek, energetic wine. Bone dry.
2020 Riesling Altenbourg
The 2020 Riesling Altenbourg comes from vines that are now 60-70 years old, originally sourced in the Mosel region and planted on the limestone of lieu-dit Altenbourg in Kientzheim. The 2020 was made in stainless steel to prevent this rich vintage from becoming even richer in foudre. The nose is still a little closed but allows glimpses of ripe peach and chalky stone. The palate is absolutely lemon focused but married to that cool, chalky depth. Even in the hot vintage of 2020, this seems to shrug off any notion of heat and channels all its flavors into precise, citric, cool limestone depth. Wow. Bone dry.
2020 Riesling Grand Cru Brand ‘Legende’
The 2020 Riesling Grand Cru Brand comes from vines that are just an average of 20 years old, planted on exposed, warm and granitic soils. The 2020 has an intriguing nose that unites ripe, fragrant peach with the beguiling scent of wild strawberries. There is a beautiful aromatic quality. The palate is precise, cool, focused and brimming with lemon. A slight dried lemon peel edge channels its undoubted energy. The bone dry finish is totally mouth watering and comes with much drive. Bone dry.
2020 Riesling ‘Sentiment’
The 2020 Riesling Sentiment is the entry level Riesling from plots in Sigolsheim, Turckheim and Riquewihr, uniting granite, clay and gypsum soils. The warmth and sunshine of 2020 are expressed by ripe hay, pear and peach flavors on the nose that follow through on the palate. A lovely orange pithiness adds mouthfeel and dimension. Fine orange freshness contributes balance and sunniness on the dry finish … Very mouth-watering. Dry.
