The Still & The VineSchool of Wine & Spirits
Domaine Marc Tempé Riesling Zellenberg 2023
White WineIssue 125

Domaine Marc Tempé Riesling Zellenberg 2023

Domaine Marc Tempé

Alsace, France
Marc Tempé's biodynamic Riesling from the granite-rich soils of Zellenberg delivers intensity without weight. The 2023 vintage produced wines of remarkable freshness in Alsace, and this bottling channels that energy into a laser-focused expression of site. Outstanding value for the quality on offer.

Kit Aromas

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bright citrus — lime zest and white grapefruit — leaps from the glass, followed by green apple and a distinct flinty minerality. Delicate floral notes of white wildflowers and a hint of honey add nuance to an otherwise taut, precise nose.

Palate

Dry and focused with racy acidity. Green apple and citrus drive the entry, supported by a chalky, mineral mid-palate that gives the wine real texture and grip. A subtle honeyed richness emerges on the second pass, along with a whisper of toasted almond that hints at the biodynamic lees work.

Finish

Long and energetic, with persistent citrus, green apple, and a saline mineral note that keeps pulling you back.

Specifications
Varietal
Riesling
Blend
100% Riesling
Vineyards
Zellenberg lieu-dit, granite and marl soils
Alcohol
14.0%
Organic / Biodynamic
No
Skin Contact
No
Serve & Pair

Food Pairing

Traditional Alsatian tarte flambée with thin-rolled dough, crème fraîche, caramelized onions, and smoked lardons. The wine's acidity cuts through the richness of the cream, while its mineral backbone matches the savory, smoky character of the dish.

The Story

Crafted by Marc and Anne-Marie Tempé on their biodynamic estate in the village of Zellenberg, where Riesling vines rooted in granite and marl soils are harvested by hand, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and aged on fine lees in old foudres.

Train These Aromas
Comments

Be the first to comment.

Leave a comment

0 / 4,000

First-time comments are reviewed before appearing. Be kind, be specific, no spam.

More White Wine Reviews
Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Blanc Terres Chaudes 2023
White Wine

Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Blanc Terres Chaudes 2023

Domaine des Roches Neuves

Thierry Germain's biodynamically farmed Chenin Blanc from the Terres Chaudes parcel delivers a wine where the tuffeau limestone substrate is as much a character as the grape. Wood plays virtually no role here — the expression is all terroir, acid, and fruit. A white wine for those who believe restraint is its own form of generosity.

Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2022
White Wine

Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2022

Donnafugata

Ben Ryé is Italy's most celebrated passito, made from Zibibbo grapes sun-dried on the wind-blasted volcanic island of Pantelleria. The heat of the African-influenced climate concentrates sugars, but Donnafugata's meticulous winemaking preserves acidity and freshness. A dessert wine that transcends the category.

Domaine Leflaive Mâcon-Verzé 2022
White Wine

Domaine Leflaive Mâcon-Verzé 2022

Domaine Leflaive

Domaine Leflaive's Mâcon-Verzé is a masterclass in value from one of Burgundy's most respected white wine producers. The biodynamic farming and careful winemaking bring a precision to Mâconnais Chardonnay that elevates it well beyond its appellation. For those priced out of Puligny, this is the door in.

Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume 2022
White Wine

Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume 2022

Domaine William Fèvre

This is essence before ornament made manifest in a glass. Where many Chablis producers chase richness or oak influence, William Fèvre's Fourchaume 2022 trusts the terroir to do the talking. The Kimmeridgian fossil-studded limestone shines through with uncompromising clarity. Alongside the issue's other selections — the unadorned honesty of Old Bardstown Estate, the single-estate purity of Tequila Ocho, the stripped-back integrity of Benromach Organic — this Chablis reminds us that the most eloquent wines are those that get out of the way of what the earth has already said.

13 proof