Hunter McKirdy | Alsace | Les Pentes Sèches VdF | 2023 | 750ml

Description

Product description for Hunter McKirdy Les Pentes Sèches VdF 2023

Wine Information

West of the village of Zellenberg lies a series of slopes comprising the Lieux-dits Rimelsberg and Kronenburg (the latter part of the Grand Cru Schoenenbourg). These east and southeast-facing vineyards are exposed to the elements, warmed by the sun and dried by the action of the wind. To survive on these arid slopes, the vines dig their roots deep into the heavy marly soils of the Early Jurassic (or Liassic) and await the cool nights typical of the 300m altitude. The average age of the vines in the three plots used is 30 years. Les Pentes Sèches is a wine made from 100% Pinot Gris. The harvest time was determined by pH and acidity ripeness, without taking into account the potential alcohol content. The grapes were hand-picked, sorted, and brought to the winery in 10kg crates. They were then pressed whole in a hydraulic wooden basket press for 8 to 10 hours. Jolene Hunter and Paul McKirdy call this a Champagne pressing. The juice was then gravity-fed, without débourbage, into Burgundy barrels over 10 years old, where the wine was allowed to ferment spontaneously. The wine matured for nine months on the full lees without racking and without the addition of SO2. Only a minimal amount of sulfite was added before bottling.

Colour

Light straw yellow

Nose

Pinot Gris generally presents itself with a certain fullness and distinct fruitiness, which can even be baroque in Alsace. Not so here. This is a Pinot Gris reminiscent of lemon peel and acidity, wet rock and petrichor, dried herbs, and a very subtle yeast sweetness.

Palate

On the palate, this is a bright, fine, lively wine with a hint of extract sweetness and a vibrant acid structure, clear tension, and minerality that is slightly electric and tonic. The finish becomes increasingly saline, resulting in a profile of finesse and straightforwardness, drinkability, and aromatic depth.

Copyright Vinaturel 2025

Keywords: Hunter McKirdy Les Pentes Sèches VdF 2023 Alsace France

Wine Advocate

Score: 92

The Vin de France Les Pentes Sèches (meaning, “the dry slopes” in English) comes from the west of the village of Zellenberg (Haut-Rhin, Alsace) and hillsides, which contain the lieux-dits of Rimelsberg and Kronenburg (the latter part of the grand cru Schoenenbourg). “These east and south-east facing vineyards are exposed to the elements, warmed by the sun and dried by the effects of the wind,” writes the domaine. To survive on these “dry slopes,” the vines sink their roots deep into the heavy, early Jurassic (or “Lias”) marl soils and await the cool nights typical of the 300 meters in altitude. The average vine age across the domaine’s three vineyards is 30 years old.
The 2023 Les Pentes Sèches is a pure Pinot Gris that has been gently pressed “à la Champenoise” (only 70% of the potential must) and vinified with natural yeasts in 10+-year-old oak barrels for nine months and bottled without racking, clarification and only a moderate addition of sulfur dioxide (the goal is always to have 15 to 20 milligrams per liter of free sulfur dioxide). Indeed, the bright yellow-colored wine shows fine and tiny carbon dioxide bubbles due to the fact the wine has never been moved except for bottling. The nose is accordingly reductive yet not freaky. It is deep and intense, indicating ripe and intense fruit intertwined with a complex minerality and calcareous marl expression. On the palate, this wine is medium to full-bodied, elegant and refined, remarkably saline and savory and provided with generous but elegant fruit, vibrantly mineral freshness and a serious structure. The finish is focused, aromatic and fine, with perfectly ripe fruit that is discreet and interwoven with the terroir elements of this excellent and stimulating white. It should be aerated if served young. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in November 2024.
Stephan Reinhardt

Producer website: https://www.instagram.com/huntermckirdy_vins/?__d=1