Why it matters
The producer
One marriage created Domaine Stentz-Buecher. In 1975, Jean-Jacques Stentz and Simone Buecher married, uniting two longstanding vigneron families in Wettolsheim.
Their children Stéphane and Céline represent the fourth viticultural generation. Stéphane favours taut, mineral Riesling, especially Steingrubler. Céline prefers Pinot Noir with fruit and chew, as in Old Oak. The domaine's range brings these preferences together through named Grand Cru whites and several Pinot Noir bottlings.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Wettolsheim is the home village of Domaine Stentz-Buecher, in Alsace. Its named white wines carry Grand Cru designations, with Gewürztraminer from Hengst and Riesling from Steingrubler.
In Alsace, Grand Cru identifies a classified vineyard site. The vineyard name on these bottles therefore forms part of the wine's designation alongside the grape variety.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range sets two Grand Cru white wines beside a group of Pinot Noir bottlings. Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Hengst and Riesling Grand Cru Steingrubler represent the site named whites, while Pinot Noir Unfiltered, Granit, Tradition and Old Oak show different red wine treatments.
Pinot Noir Unfiltered has supple tannins and depth of flavour. Granit is unfiltered and sulphur free, aged in barrels for more than 15 months, with sour cherry and black cherry aromas. Tradition uses a long maceration with twice daily punching down, followed by gentle filtration to preserve primary aromas. Old Oak is associated with fruit and chew.