Riesling Roche Volcanique 2022

This wine originates from some of the youngest vines planted on the Grand Cru Rangen after 1978, hence its denomination ‘volcanic’ as the Rangen soil is made of sedimentary compressed volcanic ash. In vintages like 2022, it is possible to see a difference in both yields and behaviour between vines of different age. Rangen doesn’t really suffer too much of drought as the valley of Thann benefits of more rainfalls than further north around Colmar (750mm versus 500mm). So, despite the steep slope, a warm south facing exposure and a rocky well drained soil, the vines can find enough water in the soil, if of course the roots plunge deep enough. Being more south, and therefore at a higher altitude, Rangen is also a later ripening vineyard. This wine obviously doesn’t have the intensity and concentration of the Grand Cru bottling, but still is a nice introduction to this rare geology.