WTN: 2016 Kientzler Riesling Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé

[David M. Bueker]

2016 Kientzler Riesling Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé - France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru (6/22/2020)
First time trying this bottling, and my first Kientzler in several years. Initially quite stern, and showing clearly dry. Over a few hours it opened up and filled out, revealing much greater palate richness, fruit definition (crisp peach, quince, apple), and just the barest hint of sweetness (not sure of the RS level, but the Kientzler wines skew to the drier end of the scale for modern Alsace). All the time I followed the wine it felt like a dinner wine, rather than an aperitif style. Nicely done, and I am glad to have a few more bottles.

I had never heard of the producer, then a few years ago I picked up a case of the 1998 Kientzler Riesling Geisberg for a good price at an auction house and I have been incredibly impressed.

We were in Beaune last fall and walking around a few wines stores, at one of the stores they had about 5 different wines from Kientzler. I spoke to the owner for a while and he let me know they were the only Alsatian wines he allowed in his store!

Wish they were more available in the US.

[David M. Bueker]

They at least have a gray market importer these days.