Wave Five - Alsace & Germany & Rhone Whites
This collection stands out as an exceptional, highly curated assembly of world-class cool-climate white wines. The portfolio bypasses standard Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc to focus deeply on elite Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, and Chenin Blanc from the finest terroirs of Austria, Germany, France, and South Africa.
Collection Overview
- 🇦🇹 Austrian Alpine Royalty: A massive focus on the Wachau and Kremstal regions, highlighted by legendary producers like Pichler-Krutzler and FX Pichler. These wines capture the peak of Grüner Veltliner and dry Riesling.
- 🇫🇷 Grand Cru Alsace & Loire Chenin: Incredible French whites including Grand Cru Riesling and Pinot Gris from Zind-Humbrecht, Weinbach, and Ostertag, side-by-side with master-class Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley (Huet, Chidaine, Yvonne).
- 🇩🇪 German Riesling Precision: Beautifully balanced dry, Spätlese, and Kabinett Rieslings from the Mosel, Nahe, and Rheinhessen, featuring cult-favorite producers like Hofgut Falkenstein, Julian Haart, and Emrich-Schönleber.
High-Value Highlights
The top five highest-priced bottles represent the pinnacle of Austrian Grüner and Alsace/German Grand Cru Riesling:
- 2022 Pichler-Krutzler Grüner Veltliner Ried Kellerberg (Wachau) – $85
- 2022 Sommerberg Grand Cru Riesling (Alsace) – $84
- 2021 Domaine Weinbach Furstentum 'Pinots' Grand Cru (Alsace) – $80
- 2022 Zind-Humbrecht Hengst Riesling (Alsace) – $80
- 2022 Emrich-Schönleber Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling (Nahe) – $80
Case-Buy Depth & Volume
The collector shows a clear preference for buying in volume when it comes to texturally complex, mineral-driven whites:
- 2024 Vilsenhof/Goeres Wolfer Goldgrube Riesling Kabinett: 17 total bottles across split entries (\(11, 6\)).
- 2020 François Chidaine Montlouis 'Les Tuffeaux' Chenin: 12 bottles.
- 2022 Domaine Schoffit Riesling Sommerberg Grand Cru: 12 bottles.
- 2021 Domaine Ostertag Pinot Gris Zellberg: 12 bottles.
- 2022 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Parallèle 45 Côtes du Rhône Blanc: 12 bottles.
- 2023 Bodegas Attis 'Nai' Albariño: 10 bottles.
Mature Vintages
A few older bottles offer a rare glimpse into how beautifully high-acid white wines age: the 2010 FX Pichler Loibenberg Riesling ($63), the 2012 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Auslese ($40), and a perfectly mature 2009 Château d'Epiré Cuvée Spéciale Savennières ($17).