Joseph Cattin Pur du Roche Riesling
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Grapes for this wine are sourced from a carefully chosen plot in southern Alsace, near the village of Voegtlinshoffen.
- The name “Pur du Roche,” which means “pure from the rock,” reflects the unique limestone and marl soils of the vineyard that contribute to the wine’s distinct mineral profile.
- Sustainable farming practices are used in the cultivation of the grapes.
Varietal Composition: 100% Riesling
Elaboration: Vines are pruned using the Guyot method, with low yields to enhance grape quality and concentration. The grapes are hand-harvested for careful selection and gently pressed in a pneumatic press to ensure high juice quality and preserve aromas. Alcoholic fermentation occurs at controlled temperatures of 18°C to 22°C (64°F to 72°F). The wine is aged in large oak foudres typical of Alsace and then in the bottle for several years before release.
Tasting Notes: Pale gold color with a nose of minerality (gunflint and chalk) and some citrus notes. The mouthfeel is dry and mineral-driven, very refined, with acidity enhanced by the citrus notes. It has a long finish.
PRESS
n/a
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Cattin is the largest family-owned and family-operated winery in Alsace and located in Voegtlinshoffen, a small village on the foothills of the Vosges Mountains at 1,091 feet in elevation. The Cattin family has been producing wine since 1720 and today the winery is managed by the 12th generation! The estate is composed of many small plots located in the Southern part of the Colmar region and a staggering 80% of their vineyard land is located on slopes. A broad menu of soils (clay, limestone, sandstone, ferruginous, marl…), combined with big time diurnal shifts, means an exceptional palate of aromas and flavors. Cattin uses old oak “foudres” (big barrels) to produce some of the region’s most terroir driven Grand Cru wines such as the legendary Hatschbourg which ranks among the family’s oldest plots. Over the past several decades Crémants have become the house specialty and these are what initially caused us to bang their doors down.