2008 Marc Tempé Zellenberg Pinot Blanc (Previously $25)

SKU #1089314 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The Tempe 2008 Pinot Blanc Zellenberg (around one-third Auxerrois) is prominently scented and juicily flavored with musk melon and yellow plum, tinged with green herbs, and toasted nuts. An invigoratingly tart edge of fresh fruit skin offers welcome counterpoint to creaminess of texture and an almost opulent sense of ripeness one doesn’t expect from this vintage. This finishes with admirable persistence and ought to be delightful over the next several years.

K&L Notes

What makes a good winemaker is someone who knows their land, and who knows how to gently coax the best out of that land. Biodynamic grower and winemaker Marc Tempé is that kind of winemaker. The most important thing to him is to make good wines that reflect the land from which they came. He doesn't chaptalize or acidify or innoculate or fine. They are made in either old foudre or older Burgundy barrels, and all the wines rest sur lie for at least 24 months. The resulting wines, like this one from Zellenberg, are incredibly pure. The fruit comes from nine different parcels on the slopes of Zelleberg's hills from vines that average about 50 years of age. There's about 35% Auxerrois in the blend, which is adds body and spice to the higher toned Pinot Blanc.