Dirler-Cadé : Gewurztraminer Grand cru "Spiegel" Vendanges Tardives 2019

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Gewurztraminer Grand Cru "Spiegel" Vendanges Tardives 2019 from Dirler-Cadé

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a brilliant golden hue with amber highlights.

Nose
The nose reveals great aromatic richness with intense fragrances of exotic fruits, notably lychee and mango. Floral notes of rose blend harmoniously with spicy touches characteristic of the grape variety. The presence of botrytis adds further complexity with honeyed nuances.

Palate
On the palate, this wine charms with its beautiful sweetness, perfectly balanced by mineral freshness. The texture is smooth and generous, revealing flavors of candied fruit and gentle spices. The finish lingers elegantly.

Serving and cellaring
The Gewurztraminer Grand Cru "Spiegel" Vendanges Tardives 2019 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. This wine has aging potential until around 2039, allowing for remarkable development in bottle.

Food and wine pairings
This Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives pairs beautifully with foie gras, whether pan-seared or served as a terrine. It also complements exotic fruit desserts, fruit tarts, or sweet-and-savory dishes from Asian cuisine.

An exceptional Gewurztraminer from a pioneering biodynamic terroir in Alsace

The estate
Founded in 1871 by Jean Dirler in Bergholtz, the Domaine Dirler-Cadé is now one of the benchmarks of Alsace viticulture. The estate took on its current name in 2000 when Jean Dirler, of the fifth generation, married Ludivine Cadé, bringing the Hell-Cadé family vines and expanding the estate to 18 hectares. Jean and Ludivine Dirler now run this pioneering biodynamic estate in Alsace, certified since 1998. The estate stands out for the exceptional proportion of its parcels classified as Grand Cru, representing nearly 40% of the vineyard, with the four prestigious terroirs of Kessler, Saering, Spiegel, and Kitterlé. The award of three stars in the 2025 guide of the Revue du Vin de France recognizes the consistent excellence of this independent family estate.

The vineyard
The Grand Cru Spiegel, whose name means "mirror," lies mid-slope across the communes of Guebwiller and Bergholtz, between 260 and 315 meters in altitude. Facing east, this 18.26-hectare terroir rests on marl-sandstone soils composed of conglomerates mainly made up of sandstone pebbles and marl. This distinctive geology gives the wines a marked mineral freshness and remarkable finesse. The estate practices certified biodynamic viticulture (Biodyvin), with partial plowing, natural grass cover in summer, and the application of biodynamic preparations to enhance vine vitality.

The vintage
The 2019 vintage proved particularly favorable in Alsace. After a mild winter and a cool, wet spring, summer was marked by dry and very hot weather from the second half of June. September enjoyed warm and dry conditions, allowing perfect ripening of the grapes and the development of noble rot. Harvest took place over a month starting on September 12, with grapes in exceptional sanitary condition.

Winemaking and aging
The grapes for the Gewurztraminer Grand Cru "Spiegel" Vendanges Tardives 2019 were harvested by hand at overripeness, with the presence of noble botrytis. After gentle pneumatic pressing, fermentation took place at controlled temperatures in oak casks or stainless steel vats. Aging on fine lees lasted around ten months before bottling, allowing the wine to develop its aromatic complexity while preserving its natural freshness.

Grape variety
Gewurztraminer (100%).