2017 Trimbach Reserve Pinot Noir Alsace 750 ml

To capture the high-flying elegance present in this cuvée, some might call it “Burgundian”—but that would be to miss the point entirely. This is pure Alsace—feather-light but earthy—from one of this storybook region’s most iconic and oldest producers. Every sip shows the influence of the calcareous, fossil-rich “Muschelkalk” soils which can only be found here.

Buyers of Oregon Pinot Noir and red Burgundy will find what they love in the nuanced Pinot grape here, but with a uniquely Alsatian imprint. The nose is a delicately spun skein of cranberry, raspberry, rose petals, and crushed stones. Light-bodied, tightly focused, and mineral-driven, fresh red fruit and hints of earth integrate perfectly with the polished tannins to create a satiny mouthfeel.

James Suckling awarded 93 points to this stellar effort, writing: “The purity and beauty to this is very pretty with crushed berries, lilac, cranberries and hints of slate. Full-bodied yet very tight and ever so polished. The tannins melt into the wine.”

Vinous added to the chorus of praise, calling it “clean, fresh, and pretty” and noting: “Already showing lovely balance, and it will no doubt develop well in the bottle.”

As Wine Access members know, we’re huge fans of Trimbach’s justifiably legendary Rieslings and Pinot Gris. This new addition to our offerings from this incredible house manages to translate the finesse and stony minerality we love in their world-famous whites into a delicious, tightly wound Pinot Noir that explodes with value.

Trimbach has been one of the defining producers of the picturesque Alsace region since 1626, and today, headed by twelfth-generation winemaker Pierre Trimbach, the house reflects the centuries of knowledge and passion that have allowed them to set the bar for nearly 400 years.

Situated in the ancient medieval town of Ribeauvillé, Trimbach is one of the five biggest vineyard owners in Alsace, positioning them perfectly to snap up the best Pinot Noir grown here, both on their own land and vineyards of equal caliber.

Shifts in climate have upped the warmth just enough to make this cool, narrow corridor between the Vosges mountains and the Rhine perfect for ripening Pinot Noir while preserving its freshness and grace. Meanwhile, the geological complexity of the land—a veritable jigsaw puzzle of limestone, clay, volcanic soil, granite, loess, and other terroirs—allows a master winemaker like Pierre to pull from a deep bench of flavor profiles and textures.

Only the best grapes make it into the Reserve blend, which is made in only the most favorable vintages. 2017 was one of them, and now you can land one of France’s quietly brilliant Pinot Noirs in a truly rare bargain.