Le Chemin des Épines Noires 2023

Le Chemin des Épines Noires from Hunter McKirdy comes from an intimate vineyard tucked between the Grand Cru sites of Froehn and Schoenenbourg in Alsace. The cuvée blends Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois from older vines rooted in limestone-marl soils, which give the wine its mineral precision and noticeable depth.

Made with a careful, low-intervention approach including whole-cluster pressing, spontaneous fermentation, and nine months aging on the lees in old barrels, the wine captures the pure character of the site. Crisp orchard fruit and subtle citrus unfold with a fine, silky texture and a savoury mineral edge. A delicate bitterness and saline lift carry through to a long, focused finish. This wine is so much more than simply Alsace.