Brand, Charles & Philippe NV Vin d'Alsace Solera
Philippe is always tinkering in the cellar, and we have tasted a few of his long-aged wines, including a solera of Riesling, and a partially sous-voile Sylvaner, but this is a new one! "Solera" is made exactly as a traditional sherry, as a perpetual cuvee, with any wine taken out replaced with new wine that furthers the texture and complexity of the wine over time. Started in 2015 with a base of Pinot Blanc, Philippe worked some Chardonnay into the solera, and more recently has integrated small percentages of Muscat and Riesling. The wine has remarkable freshness for being nearly 10 years old, but also wows with evolving aromatics and a layered mid-palate. -EL