2009 Pinot Gris, Cuvée Ste Catherine, Domaine Weinbach, Alsace, France (£31.17, Justerini & Brooks tel. 020 7484 6400 & www.justerinis.com). Weinbach is one of my ‘desert island’ producers – I am hoping to get the Radio 4 call-up any day now! Meaning ‘wine brook, it has been planted to vines since 890 and it was officially established by Capuchin monks in 1612. Nowadays it is run by the powerful triumvirate of Colette, Catherine and Laurence Faller and they make some of the most beautiful Gewurztraminers, Rieslings and Pinot Gris in existence. The portfolio staggeringly serious – from lush, dry enigmatic creations to unimaginably exotic, mesmerising sweet wines. I rarely go below 18/20 in my notes when I taste these wines and this makes Weinbach on a par with DRC, Margauxa and d’Yquem! The glamorous Catherine Faller pours liquid gold into my glass every year at the annual tasting and the 2009/10 vintage release, which J&B is offering right now, is vital to your cellar’s well-being (check out the website above). Every wine is a knockout, especially the ‘10 Riesling Schlossberg Cuvée Ste. Catherine, ‘10 Gewurz Furstentum, ‘09 Pinot Gris Altenbourg Cuvée d’Or Quintessence (which I gave a perfect 20/20 to!) and the ’09 Riesling Altenbourg Vendanges Tardive. In order to satiate your palate right now, here is a delectable and eminently affordable Pinot Gris, named after Cathy herself, and it is so heavenly you will find yourself drifting away on a cloud of sheer joy with every sip.
