Keller alte Reben Weisswein Trocken Reserve 2022

This is a “love-project” for Felix Keller and the family, with KP taking a very intense interest (I can tell by his tone when he speaks of the project!). I say “love-project” because there is so much blood and sweat, with mental and financial resources going into it. Plantings of 17-20K vines per ha, the buying of old vine plots, and the divestment in lesser plots are all part of the intense and ongoing process.
This 2022 is a blend of 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot blanc from 30- to 60-year-old vines (from the villages of Westhofen and Dalsheim) in the grand crus of Frauenberg and Aulerde, and the revered erste lagen Steingrube. The grapes are crushed, given 12h skin-contact, and fermented separately in (30% new) 228lt and 1,200lt barrels (some from Domaine d’Auveney and Didier Daganeau), aged for 12 months then transferred to tank for 6 months.  When asked why the family like blending these two grapes, KP says “The varieties work well together and the blend is more than its parts. The chardonnay in these old vines tends to produce more fruity wines but the pinot blanc is a little leaner and more laser-like, which is a good combination.” These are powerful and structured wines that like the GG rieslings are built to last as they age gracefully. Importer's notes.