Meyer Fonne Riesling Kaefferkopf comes from a Grand Cru vineyard with a great reputation in Alsace, with references in archives dating back as far as 1328. The clay calcareous sandstone soil gives the wine plenty of body, strength and an individual structure. The nose offers a great deal of purity, mineral character and spice notes which follow through on to the palate with concentrated fruit notes, star anise and a powerful, racy structure. Magic stuff.
Domaine Meyer Fonne was founded in the late 1800s by Felix Meyer and is still run today by Felix’s great grandson, also called Felix. The Domaine now covers 18 hectares over 7 communes, namely Katzenthal, Ammerschwihr, Ingersheim, Riquewihr, Kientzheim, Colmar and Bennwihr. The diversity of soil type and vineyard exposure throughout these areas is so phenomenal that you’re almost guaranteed to see groups of university students and amateur geologists surveying the unique land. The area is one of the world’s greatest examples of terroir and its soil diversity means that several grape varieties can flourish here making it one of the most varied grape growing regions in the world.
The Domaine has always been farmed organically and Felix likes to play around with a few Biodynamic techniques. Felix also prefers to use large, older foudres (wooden barrels) in conjunction with stainless steel vats for the more aromatic varieties. This gives the wines a delicacy, depth and complexity which is quite special and most pronounced on the Grand Cru wines. Although Alsace is famous for being a white wine producing region, Felix makes some of the best Pinot Noirs we have tried. The aptly named ‘Gallus’ is amazing and should be snapped up when we have it. Buying his Cremant is also one of the most sensible choices you’ll ever make.
