Marc Tempe, Pinot Gris 'Amzelle', 2020

Floral, Passion Fruit, Zesty

Alsace / White / Pinot Gris / Organic, Biodynamic

Previously labelled as Zellenberg, the Tempés got into trouble with the AC body that (stupidly) forbids the use of the Zellenberg village as a cuvée name. The clayey marls of Zellenberg gives this wine great structure and depth of fruit as per all Tempé wines, it was aged for two years on fine lees in traditional foudres. Touch of reduction on the nose, it opens up quickly showcasing warmth and richness, the fruit is yet restrained with pear, peach, and spices with lovely bitters on the finish.

Notes on the producer

Back in the eighties Marc initially worked as a lab technician for the INAO. He then stepped outdoors to work as a vineyard expert for the same body, responsible for selecting lieux-dits for possible inclusion into Alsace’s Grand Cru system. Both Marc and wife Anne Marie’s parents were co-operative winemakers and from the families’ joint vineyard holdings they started their new domaine in 1993. Marc, who Léonard Humbrecht (of Zind-Humbrecht) calls his ‘spiritual godson’, has been working his 8ha of hillside vineyards in the Haut-Rhin biodynamically since late 1996. Most of his wines are made from very old vines and, harnessed to fastidious viticulture. There are an incredible density and depth of fruit in Marc's wines, there is something hedonistic about them and yet they are beautifully balanced with good acidities, a terroir print and notable bitters on the finish. All of the wines age effortlessly.