Domaine Schoffit, Crémant d'Alsace Extra Brut, Alsace, France NV

Bernard Schoffit is a brilliant pioneer in Alsace's greatest Grand Cru, Rangen de Thann. The domaine started by Bernard's father Robert, at 10 hectares, is situated near Colmar. 30 years ago, Bernard, then still very young, embarked on an ambitious program of buying land in Rangen, around the Clos St. Theobold. Totaling nearly 6.5 hectares, a good part of it had been abandoned because it was too steep to work. Through sheer determination and ambition, he has now reclaimed all 6.5 hectares. From these incredibly steep slopes, with extremely low yields, he is making simply extraordinary wine from each cépage he grows.

Bernard's gift for wine-making is not reserved only for his Rangen wines. In his vineyards near Colmar he practices the same rigorous approach to yields, and from a less than one hectare parcel of Riesling on Sommerberg (granite), makes one of the most brilliant wines of that varietal in all of Alsace. These yields, some very old vines and Bernard's guiding hand produce wines that are all marked by the following characteristics: intensity, very pure varietal character, great concentration of fruit on the palate and perfect acidity to balance and carry this weight into a long and brilliant finish.