Beck-Hartweg
Florian & Mathilde Beck-Hartweg
Dambach-La-Ville
I met Florian in 2017 at his family's ancient cellar in the middle of a medieval-looking town. A truly incredible place with foudre more than 200 years old, tools and trinkets that must have been older. Florien, on the other hand, was a young, enthusiastic, and incredibly sharp man who talked me through the history of this 11 generation production, while underplaying his own contribution to the tradition. He is something of an agricultural scholar whose prolific output is not limited to wine alone. You can see him on youtube explaining his vines and their cultivation here. Of course you may know the wines already from Chambers Street Wines, where Eben has been directly importing the wines for years.
“To guarantee the soil’s health, we maintain a diverse green cover. We let the wild plants grow in our vineyards, without mowing neither ploughing them. Then we push it down on the soil using a rolofaca. With this method, we create a natural mulching which will preserve some humidity and a cool temperature in our soils during the summer season. This mulch will then decompose an enrich our soils with humus. This humus is capital for the texture and fertility of the soil, helped by the fauna.”
The Beck’s have always had a preference for vineyards on the slopes. The work is difficult, but these vineyards give them small, dense grapes, rich in personality and minerality. 25% of their vineyards are classified as Alsace Grand Cru Frankstein, the rest belong to great terroirs of Blettig, Bungertal, Rittersberg, Lanzenberg, Kalkstal and Breitstein.
AOC Cremant d'Alsace "Cremant d'Alsace" NV
VARIETY : Pinot Blanc / Auxerrois / Riesling
TERROIR : Silt
VINIFICATION : The Grapes are not crushed before the smooth pneumatic pressing. After the fermentation, the wine is bottles with an addition of sugar for the second fermentation. Then aged for over 36 months on the lees in bottles in order to develop a nice complexity and elegant bubbles.
AOC Alsace Grand Cru Frankstein Riesling 2020
TERROIR : Granitic, sandy and stony. Southern exposed.
VINIFICATION : The grapes are put in the pneumatic press without crushing, and the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 8 to 10 months in our old oak casks. Estate bottled.
Grand Cru Frankstein Cuvée Eden 2020
VARIETY : Riesling, Pinot Gris and directly pressed Pinot Noir.
All the premier cru grapes.
TERROIR : Grapes grown in granite-rich sandy soil with southern exposure.
VINIFICATION : Slow gentle pressing of whole grapes in pneumatic press to preserve the purity of aromas. Aged in oak old oak barrels for 8-10 months.
No clarification, filtration or added sulfite .
AOC Alsace Dambach Riesling 2020
TERROIR : Granitic, sandy and stony. Eastern exposed. Three vines on this same soil and exposure compose this wine, The Lanzenberg, The Frankstein, The Breitstein.
VINIFICATION : The grapes are put in the pneumatic press without crushing, and the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 8 to 10 months in our old oak casks. Estate bottled.
AOC Alsace Rouge Dambach 2020
VARIETY : Pinot Noir
TERROIR : Granit and silt, eastern exposed. Vines from the Pfirdel and the Rebbronn of this same terroir are blended.
VINIFICATION : Careful destemming to preserve the aromas, then maceration of one week, and 11 months.
Aged in stainless steel to preserve the crisp fruity notes. Unfiltered.
AOC Alsace Granit 2020
VARIETY : Riesling / Pinot Gris / Pinot Noir
TERROIR: Granitic, sandy and stony. Eastern exposed. Three vines on this same terroir compose this wine : Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.
VINIFICATION : The grapes are harvested together and put in the pneumatic press without crushing, then the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 8 to 10 months in our old oak casks. Unfiltered, no sulfite addition : natural wine. Estate bottled.
AOC Alsace Grand Cru Frankstein
Pinot Gris 2020
TERROIR : Granitic, sandy and stony. Southern exposed.
VINIFICATION : The grapes are put in the pneumatic press without crushing, and the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 3 months in our old oak casks, then aged 8 more months on the fine lees. Estate bottled.
2019
AOC “Bungertal” 2019
VARIETY : Gewürztraminer
TERROIR : Bungertal is situated in Nothalten where the terroir is gifted with volcanic sandstone soil. Its shallow and rocky ground faces south fully, giving its wine a heated aroma of spices.
VINIFICATION : The grapes are macerated whole for 24 to 48 hours then poured into a pneumatic press, to be pressed gently. Fermentation is in old oak barrels with indigenous yeasts. Aged for 10 months in total on the lees. Bottled at the property without filtration or other additives. This wine will reveal its salinity and spiced aroma with patience, between 5 and 15 years.
TASTING NOTES : The richness in trace elements of these volcanic soils provide a strong personality, a wine with a baroque style, complex and expressive with an important salinity, spice and a tannic sensation on the finish. Mouth watering with great persistence.
2018
AOC Grand Cru
“Frankstein” Riesling 2019
VARIETY : Riesling
TERROIR : Granitic, sandy and stony. Southern exposed. This Riesling comes from the Frauenberg and the Pflanzer.
VINIFICATION : The grapes are put in the pneumatic press without crushing, and the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 8 to 10 months in our old oak casks. Estate bottled.
TASTING NOTES : Elegant, floral with some notes of flint giving a nice complexity. Dry in mouth with a ripe acidity which gives a good structure. Crystalline mouth-feel due to the strong saltiness. Deep, long and complex. Aromas of white flowers and spices.
AOC Alsace "F" Pinot Noir 2019
TERROIR : Granit , very old vines.
The Pinot Noir is not allowed to carry the mention Grand Cru Frankstein, that is why we call it “F” for Frankstein.
VINIFICATION : Careful destemming to preserve the aromas, then long maceration of 2 weeks to allow an harmonious structure. 11 months ageing in an old oak cask (over 100 years old) to harmonize the tannins, but without giving any oak taste. Unfiltered, no sulfite addition : natural wine. Estate bottled.
Vdf "Tout Naturellement Macéré" 2018
VARIETY : 80% Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc, 10% Auxerrois and Pinot Gris
TERROIR : Sand, silt.
HARVEST : harvested simultaneously, by hand.
VINIFICATION : The grapes are harvested together and put in the pneumatic press without crushing. The pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 8 to 10 months in our old oak casks. No filtration, no sulfites : natural wine! Estate bottled.
AOC Alsace Vendages Tardives 2018
VARIETY : Gewurztraminer
TERROIR : Granitic, sandy and stony, incredibly light, in the Lanzenberg, located on the top of the eastern exposed slope.
HARVEST : hand picked
VINIFICATION : The grapes are put in the pneumatic press without crushing, and the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 4 months in our old oak casks, then aged 6 more months on the fine lees. Estate bottled.
AOC Riesling “Dambach” 2018
VARIETY : Riesling
TERROIR : Granitic, sandy and stony. Eastern exposed. Three vines on this same soil and exposure compose this wine, The Lanzenberg, The Frankstein, The Breitstein.
VINIFICATION : The grapes are put in the pneumatic press without crushing, and the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 8 to 10 months in our old oak casks. Estate bottled.
AOC Pinot Noir “Dambach” 2018
VARIETY : Pinot Noir
TERROIR : Granit and silt, eastern exposed. Vines from the Pfirdel and the Rebbronn of this same terroir are blended.
VINIFICATION : Careful destemming to preserve the aromas, then maceration of one week, and 11 months.
Aged in stainless steel to preserve the crisp fruity notes. Unfiltered.
AOC Alsace Pinot Gris Dambach 2018
VARIETY : Pinot Gris
TERROIR : Granitic, sandy and silty. Eastern exposed.
VINIFICATION : The grapes are put in the pneumatic press without crushing, and the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 1 to 3 months in our old oak casks, then aged 4 to 6 more months on the fine lees. Estate bottled.
AOC Alsace Grand Cru Gewurztraminer Frankstein 2018
TERROIR : Granitic, sandy and stony. Southern exposed
VINIFICATION : The grapes are put in the pneumatic press without crushing, and the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 3 months in our old oak casks, then aged 8 more months on the fine lees. Estate bottled.
AOC “F” 2018
VARIETY : Pinot Noir
TERROIR : Granitic, very old vine located inside the Grand Cru Frankstein on the Pflanzer. The Pinot Noir is not allowed to carry the mention Grand Cru Frankstein, that is why we call it “F” for Frankstein.
VINIFICATION : Careful destemming to preserve the aromas, then long maceration of 2 weeks to allow a harmonious structure. 11 months aging in an old oak cask (over 100 years old) to harmonize the tannins, but without giving any oak taste. Unfiltered, no sulfite addition estate bottled.
AOC “Granit” 2018
VARIETY : Riesling / Pinot Gris / Pinot Noir
TERROIR: Granitic, sandy and stony. Eastern exposed. Three vines on this same terroir compose this wine : Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.
VINIFICATION : The grapes are harvested together and put in the pneumatic press without crushing, then the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 8 to 10 months in our old oak casks. Unfiltered, no sulfite addition : natural wine. Estate bottled.
2017
AOC Grand Cru Pinot Gris “Frankstein” 2017
VARIETY : Pinot Gris
TERROIR : Granitic, sandy and stony. Southern exposed. This Pinot Gris comes from the Frauenberg.
HARVEST : hand picked
VINIFICATION : The grapes are put in the pneumatic press without crushing, and the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 3 months in our old oak casks, then aged 8 more months on the fine lees. Estate bottled.
TASTING NOTES : Discreet nose with some floral notes. Nice balance in mouth with some roundness and nice fruity flavours which give way to a fresh and dry finish. Nice length, notes of bitter almonds, grilled nuts.
AOC Grand Cru Riesling “Frankstein” 2017
VARIETY : Riesling
TERROIR : Granitic, sandy and stony. Southern exposed. This Riesling comes from the Frauenberg and the Pflanzer.
HARVEST : hand picked
VINIFICATION : The grapes are put in the pneumatic press without crushing, and the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 8 to 10 months in our old oak casks. Estate bottled.
TASTING NOTES : Elegant, floral with some notes of flint giving a nice complexity. Dry mouthfeel with a ripe acidity which gives good structure. Crystalline mouth-feel due to the strong saltiness. Deep, long and complex. Aromas of white flowers and spices.
2011
AOC “Vendages Tardives” 2011
VARIETY : Gewurztraminer
TERROIR : Granitic, sandy and stony, incredibly light, in the Lanzenberg, located on the top of the eastern exposed slope.
HARVEST : hand picked
VINIFICATION : The grapes are put in the pneumatic press without crushing, and the pressing is long and smooth in order to preserve the purity of the aromas. Wild-yeast fermentation during 4 months in our old oak casks, then aged 6 more months on the fine lees. Estate bottled.
TASTING NOTES : Rich and complex on the nose, with notes of rose, ginger, mint and dried herbs. The mouth is rich, mellow with some aromas of raisins and figs. Great length, the granitic soil give an incredible freshness for such a dense wine!