A Legacy Unveiled: Introducing The Schlumberger Clos Saint Léger Riesling Kitterlé Grand Cru
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We had the privilege of hosting 7th generation owner of Domaines Schlumberger, Severine Schlumberger, in town last week, where she launched the estate's latest addition - Riesling Clos Saint Léger. Cultivated from the prestigious Kitterlé Grand Cru vineyard, the 2017 Riesling Clos Saint Léger marks the very first vintage of this extraordinary wine.
The Kitterlé vineyard is a magnificent terroir of volcanic-sandstone origin, occupying a unique east-west axis in a small basin. The south-facing terraces, perched between 342 and 392 meters above sea level, bask in optimal sunlight.
Cultivated organically with utmost environmental respect, this plot’s delicate sandy soils, held in place by ancient dry stone walls, yield only a limited production of 20 to 35hl/ha. In keeping with tradition and sustainability, the vines are worked exclusively with horses. Hand-tended techniques, such as green manure, deseeding, disbudding, vine splitting, and braiding, are employed to maintain the delicate balance of the plants while naturally limiting yields.
To unlock the full potential of these small, aromatic bunches, a gentle, slow pressing is employed. After 12 hours of settling, the pristine juice undergoes fermentation in stainless steel vats, where temperature is meticulously controlled. The wine, racked and left to age on fine lees, reached its final expression and was bottled (under neutral gas) on June 18, 2018.
2017 Schlumberger Kitterle Clos St Leger Riesling Grand Cru
2017 Schlumberger Riesling Kitterlé Grand Cru
2014 Schlumberger Pinot Gris Kitterlé Grand Cru
