This is a small, family-owned property located in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, just northeast of Colmar in the little burg of Katzenthal. They produce wine from Riesling, Tokay Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer grapes on their terroir of granite-based soils. The wines in general are crisp, clean, fruity and fragrant, and very well balanced with slightly lower alcohol levels (12-13%) than their more southerly neighbors. As most Alsatian vignerons, their wines, excepting the vendange tardive wines, are vinified dry.
2004 is the first year that the Bernhards made a Vendanges tardives Riesling wine. The decision was based partly on the quality of the 2004 vintage and the length of the fall season, and partly to celebrate the birth of Jules Bernhard, the 4th generation Bernhard now living on the property, hence the name “Le Jus de Jules” or “Jules’s Juice”.
This is a richly flavored late harvest Riesling with a perfumed bouquet that is seductive and gives even more as the wine opens up in the glass. On the palate, the wine is round and full, with enough acidity to balance the sweet fruit and 42 g/L of residual sugar. The mineral notes are there as well and flavors keep on coming to a finish that just does not seem to give up.This is a wonderful start to a new tradition for Jean-Marc and his son Frédéric.
Serve this wine chilled but not too much as to allow all the aromas and flavors to express themselves, say about 50°F. This is a great after dinner accompaniment to chocolate, fruit and even strong cheeses, especially blue cheese.
This is a small, family-owned property located in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, just northeast of Colmar in the little burg of Katzenthal. They produce wine from Riesling, Tokay Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer grapes on their terroir of granite-based soils. The wines in general are crisp, clean, fruity and fragrant, and very well balanced with slightly lower alcohol levels (12-13%) than their more southerly neighbors. As most Alsatian vignerons, their wines, excepting the vendange tardive wines, are vinified dry.
