Domaine Rieflé 2015 Alsace Rouge

Note: 90 pointsBright red. Perfumed red cherry and strawberry aromas on the nose are complicated by Asian spices and herbs. Then slightly austere in the middle, with a noble tannic spine; the ripe red berry fruit flavors are currently subdued. Still, I like this wine’s purity and almost viscous texture. It’s a remarkably good entry-level Alsatian Pinot Noir. In fact, the area of Rouffach has always been suited to Pinot Noir (witness Muré’s Pinot Noirs, likely the best in Alsace today), and this wine is further proof of Rouffach’s “Pinot Noir calling,” if you will. This 100 percent Pinot Noir is the brainchild of Paul’s father, Jean-Claude, who studied in Burgundy and adores red wines. It’s made from organically grown grapes (certified since 2014) and bottled with very low sulfur levels (this has 70 mg). Rieflé was unhappy with the 2014 and decided to remove one-third of the stems in this vintage. I agree that it was probably a good idea to do so (especially in warm 2015) and would humbly submit that removing a few more might be even better.

Ian D'Agata. Tasting date: August 2016