2022 Alexander Laible Grauer Burgunder *** "SL"
Tasting note
The “SL” stands for “Selektion Laible”. Alexander Laible uses the three stars *** to denote his highest-quality wines, which benefit from reduced yields and a thorough selection of healthy grapes. (Alexander Laible is not to be confused with Andreas Laible, whose winery is also based in Durbach but is a member of the VDP.)
Clear appearance. Pale golden yellow to salmon pink in colour. The nose is clean and of medium intensity. It is easy to distinguish the primary fruit aromas: Cantaloupe melon, peach, apple, pear and grapefruit. On the palate, the pinot gris is dry. Typical of the varietal, acidity is on the lower side. I get apple and citrus fruit. It’s pretty primary. Alcohol is medium at 13%. The body and flavour intensity are both medium, as is the finish, which is carried by notes of grapefruit. The Grauer Burgunder *** SL is a good wine for lovers of pinot gris — not high in acidity but fresh and fruity. Cellaring potential is limited.
Drink through 2025.
Tasted by Dominik Müller on Saturday, 2 December 2023.
Ratings
| Flawed? | no | |
| DM: |
7Wines with a DM5 to DM8 rating are good wines. They are pure and balanced. They also tend to show some character in the form of the typicity of the grape variety or the region. / 20 ("good") |
|
| Stars: |
3Wines with a rating of 3 stars are very well-made. They exceed expectations and are well above average within their peer group. / 5 |
Wine details
| Vintage: | 2022 |
| Colour: | white |
| Style: | still (dry) |
| Assemblage: | no |
| Grape variety: |
Pinot Gris Early flowering and early ripening white grape variety. Other names include Grauburgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Ruländer (Austria, Germany) and Pinot Grigio (Italy). The skin colour can vary, with shades ranging from grey, rusty red to a light brownish colour. Accordingly, depending on the length of extraction in the winemaking process, the wine can be white to yellow (little extraction) or even a little rosé (more extraction) in colour. In terms of aromatics and flavours, Pinot Gris can be fruity (apples, pear, mild citrus) to nutty or buttery. It is typically relatively low in acidity and can be higher in alcohol than many other white varieties - due to high sugar levels. This also makes Pinot Gris perfect for the production of off-dry or sweet wines. It can be medium to full-bodied and oily in texture, although there are good examples of lighter, fresh and more acidic whites produced from this variety, too. |
| For assemblages, the main grape variety is shown. | |
| Producer: | Alexander Laible |
| Country: | Germany |
| Region: |
Baden Baden is Germany's southernmost wine growing region. It stretches about 400 kilometers from north to south along the Rhine. Baden is also Germany's warmest wine region. Much like its French neighbour Alsace, its climate is heavily influenced by its location in between the Vosges and the Black Forest, shielding it from cold winds and heavy rains. Best-known for Burgundian varieties, especially Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder), Pinot Blanc (Weißburgunder) and Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder). More than 15,000 hectares of vineyards. Diverse soils, ranging from loess and volcanic stones in the Kaiserstuhl region to shell-limestone in Tauberfranken. |
| Subregion: | Ortenau |
| Appellation: | n/a |
| Vineyard: | n/a |
| More details on this wine. | |
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