2017 Domaine Brand Cuvée Fleurs Maceration

Region: Alsace < France
Grapes: 80/20 Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified biodynamic farming; granite soils; 15 days maceration, 8 months in stainless steel; bottled unfined/unfiltered with zero-added So2; 12% ABV.
Winemaker: Philippe Brand

We featured Philippe’s Gamay/Negrette wine, one of our favorite finds of 2018, last month. Now he’s back in the Rock Juice lineup with this unusual and totally fabulous red/white blend. Quick refresher on Philippe’s story: he joined his father in the family estate in 2006, pushed him to take the organic estate even further, into biodynamics and working without any additives.   Since 2015 they’ve been Demeter-certified and add no So2 -- and the wines have never been better.  While this wine is mostly Pinot Gris, the maceration with 20% of the red Pinot Noir colors it bright fuschia with a neon glow, appearing closer to red than orange. There is an initial floral rush at first sip, then it gets all crunchy with red fruits, and finishes with Sweet-Tarts and acid. So much light, energy and uncontrollable joy in this wine, like a unicorn shrooming down a glittery rainbow. Teeny tiny production, grab while you can.