Blankenhorn 2020 Chasselas Le Clocher

From the Southwestern corner of Baden abutting Alsace and Switzerland (Mulhouse is 12 miles west and Basel 18 miles south), Schliengen lies at the foot of the Blauen, a 4000 foot mountain at the edge of the Black Forest. Here, the soils are the same shell limestone as in Burgundy to the west, with a similar climate. The french influence is also seen in the name. For their top Gutedel, the Männers use the name Chasselas, saving the German synonym, for the simpler stuff. Although native to the Swiss canton of Vaud, Chasselas/Gutdel is the region's signature white variety. The vast majority of Swiss Chasselas is easy-drinking and, in the case of Fendant, often slightly petillant. But the Swiss have a hidden tradition of aging their Chasselas. As discovered by the Männers at a famous restaurant in Geneva, aged chasselas is indeed Burgundian stylistically and an excellent vehicle to express the linearity of the limestone terroir. Their top Chasselas is from their Clocher single vineyard. Although unable to be labeled as such by VDP wine law, Le Clocher is an Erste Lage (1er Cru) and certainly drinks like a 1er cru Chablis. The Männers block malo to maintain high acidity and leave on the lees in large barrel for 10 months . The result is a wine redolent of green apple, white peach, lime blossom, celery & coriander underscored by a mineral chalkiness and yeasty base with a long , elegant finish. An excellent find for all manner of seafood and white meat dishes, not just a spritzy requisite for fondue! GH