2017 Domaine Specht Riesling Mandelberg Grand Cru Alsace France 750 ml

Cellar it, share it tomorrow, pair it with spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes… the 2017 Domaine Specht Riesling Mandelberg Grand Cru Alsace is the ultimate in white wine versatility, and we’re thrilled that our relationships in France allowed us to score this fantastic Riesling. For those interested in world-class white wine at a shockingly affordable price, now is the time to claim it.

The words “Grand Cru” always signal impeccable quality—and usually a high price tag—which is why our offer of the 2017 Domaine Specht Riesling Mandelberg Grand Cru is such a steal. It’s a racy and age-worthy white, boasting a nose of apple and lemon with an intriguing telltale hint of petrol along with a full and energetic palate that finishes dry with bright, zippy citrus. For a Grand Cru white from some of the most sacred soil in France, this is a savvy wine lover's deal at $26.99.  

In Burgundy, just 2% of vineyards are designated as Grand Cru. In the Alsace region of eastern France, where the quaint steep-roofed houses look straight out of The Sound of Music, just 5% make the cut for their exceptional terroir and quality. The Alsace Grand Cru designation was codified in 1983 (there were 25 then) and now there are 51. Grand Cru wines can contain various grapes, but as Jancis Robinson and Hugh Johnson put plainly it in their World Atlas of Wine, “Riesling is king.” 

Domaine Specht has a very rare monopole in their Mandelberg Grand Cru holding, which means they’re the only ones privy to this site located just to the northwest of the town of Colmar. The vineyard consists of 50 acres of clay-limestone soils and enjoys ideal sun exposure due to its south, southwest, and southeast orientations. Because of this perfect orientation (in dry and often cloudless Alsace) Mandelberg wines are known for offering significant weight, while of course maintaining a beautiful balance.

The impeccable combination of body, energy, and acidity comes across in every mouth-watering sip of the 2017 Domaine Specht. This is a wine for all white wine lovers, not just Riesling aficionados. It’s a gorgeous expression that will thrill at the dinner table and in the cellar for years to come, and you don’t want to miss it at this price.