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It’s not every day that a Grand Cru wine from Alsace emerges from obscurity, but the 2012 Pinot Gris from Gustave Lorentz does just that — with both grace and power. Hailing from Kanzlerberg, the smallest of Alsace’s prestigious Grand Cru vineyards, this release offers a rare glimpse into a terroir few have tasted but many will want to seek out.
Kanzlerberg, nestled just outside the village of Bergheim, spans a modest 3.23 hectares. Its limestone and clay soils, combined with a sun-drenched, south-southwest facing slope, provide ideal conditions for expressive and structured wines. The vines — over 30 years old — dig deep into this mineral-rich soil, producing fruit that carries both concentration and elegance.
In the glass, the 2012 vintage reveals a rich golden hue, signaling its maturity. Aromatically, it offers ripe stone fruits, subtle marzipan, and delicate spice — a nod to the gentle touch of oak and extended aging. The wine spent 18 months on its lees in traditional large oak foudres, followed by over nine years of bottle aging before its release. The result is a textured, full-bodied Pinot Gris with remarkable depth and clarity — a wine that speaks fluently of its origin.
This bottling is especially notable not only for its pedigree but also for its singularity: Gustave Lorentz is the only producer crafting Pinot Gris from Kanzlerberg. With just 5,275 bottles made and only 1,200 available through Systembolaget as of May 30, this is a collector’s wine — understated, refined, and unapologetically Alsatian. A superb wine that rewards patience!
Tasting Notes
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol: ~13%
Residual Sugar: 10 g/l
Drinking Window: 2025–2032
Release Price: 399 SEK. Art.number: 9303501
