Albert Klee

Located in the middle of the Alsatian terroir, the Albert Klee vineyard covers five hectares in AOC Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru and perpetuates the wine tradition since 1624 from father to son. Today, it is Odile, Albert and their son Jean-François who manage the whole estate: vineyard, cellar, marketing.

A terroir

The estate's vineyards stretch around the village of Katzenhal. The soils on which they grow are clay-limestone, marl-limestone, granitic and sandy-clay. The vineyard is located on hillsides, which allows rain to run off, ensuring a level of water stress favorable to good grape ripening.

This slope also gives a full south/south-east exposure and therefore a moderate amount of sunshine. This allows the vine to produce polyphenols and gives richer grapes in order to obtain ample, complex and structured wines.

On these soils, seven grape varieties are distributed, six of which are white (Sylvaner, Pinot Auxerrois, Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer) and one red (Pinot Noir).

A philosophy

Albert Klee Vineyards is also a philosophy focused on meticulous work and respect for the environment.

The load of each vine (its number of clusters) is monitored and adapted to the potential of the vine. The objective is to obtain controlled yields and better quality wines. In order to combat vine diseases as best as possible while respecting the environment, the estate has been striving for several years to maintain a reasoned agriculture.

The Albert Klee vineyard is also committed to sustainable agriculture. The goal is to reduce phytosanitary products and unnatural treatments. Chemical weeding has been replaced by mechanical weeding. In short, it combines sustainable agriculture, consumer and winegrower health and environmental preservation.

Wines

The philosophy of the Klee family and the quality of the terroirs on which they grow their vines result in fine, racy wines that are typical of their grape varieties. The wines are expressive and balanced on the palate, reflecting the ripe and fresh harvest.

Let's take two wines: the Grand Cru Kaefferkopf Gewurztraminer and the Pinot Gris Vieilles Vignes.

The Grand Cru Kaefferkopf Gewurztraminer is vinified as a single-varietal Gewurtz and offers a complex aromatic palette. The nose is intense, including exotic fruits, flowers, citrus and spices. There are also notes of honey and ripe fruit. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, well-structured and displays a nice fullness and fatness. It can be kept for a good ten years.

The Pinot Gris Vieilles Vignes is vinified as a single variety of Pinot Gris. Its nose combines honey, yellow fruits, beeswax, and some smoky and undergrowth notes. In mouth, the attack is frank and ample, while keeping a beautiful freshness. A wine balanced between power, sweetness and finesse. It is necessary to wait two years before tasting it and it can be kept up to ten years.