PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Domaine Dirler-Cadé is one of Alsace’s great biodynamic estates, in the village of Bergholtz, at the southern end of the Alsace wine route, and a partnership of Jean Dirler and Ludivine Cadé, who farm 18 hectares, almost half of them Grand Cru. Their wines are known for precision and for a philosophy that lets the fermentation decide: “In years when fermentation naturally stops, leaving residual sugar, the Dirler-Cadés do not intervene,” and the wines range from dry to rich depending on what the year gives. The domaine’s grands crus, Spiegel, Saering, Kessler, and Kitterlé, now carry elemental names, and Kitterlé is “Élément Terre,” the earth.
Kitterlé is a Grand Cru in Guebwiller: a steep, terraced hill of sandy soils above the town, and, as the importer puts it, “a monument to ‘sense of place,’ the vines formed by a sharp overhang shaped by strong, reinforced walls. It is sunny from dusk to dawn, with lean and sandy soil that produces exceptional Gewurztraminer.” The importer’s description of the 2022: “Gewurztraminer with all the exotic and spicy fruit aromas (lychee, mango, grapefruit) one could hope for, with a persistent and rich palate. Opulent structure with fantastic freshness.”
The Kitterlé Gewurztraminer is typically a sweet wine, with residual sugar in the mid-30s g/L in recent vintages and a vibrant acidity that keeps it from feeling heavy, aged on its fine lees for about eleven months. [2022 ABV AND RESIDUAL SUGAR TO BE CONFIRMED FROM THE LABEL.] For house-style context, James Suckling scored the 2019 95 points: “Wide-screen nose of spices and exotic fruit (not just lychee, but also papaya and mangosteen!). Very rich and succulent with enveloping creaminess, but only a touch of sweetness and almost no perceptible bitterness, this is a remarkable gewurz that’s astonishingly easy to drink, thanks to the silky texture and excellent balance at the very long finish. From biodynamically grown grapes.” Wine-Searcher’s critic average for the wine is 90 across 43 reviews, with most scores between 90 and 94. Earlier vintages have drawn more cautious views when young: critics at The World of Fine Wine found the sweet Kitterlé “very young, almost undigested,” needing patience, and the producer’s own description says it is “spicy from the nose but sweet on the palate with a slight acidity that makes it lively: a gastronomic wine that will age well.”
It’s an opulent, spicy, aromatic Alsace Gewurztraminer with real freshness and a long life, a wine for dishes that handle sweetness and spice: Thai and Indian curries, Moroccan tagines, duck and foie gras, and washed-rind and blue cheeses such as Munster and Fourme d’Ambert. Serve it chilled, at about 8-10°C, and don’t hesitate to cellar it for a decade or more.
Dirler-Cadé 2022 Gewurztraminer Kitterlé Grand Cru “Élément Terre” is produced by Domaine Dirler-Cadé in Bergholtz, Alsace, France (biodynamic; Jean Dirler and Ludivine Cadé), from 100% Gewurztraminer grown in the Kitterlé Grand Cru in Guebwiller (steep walled terraces, lean sandy soils). Aged on its fine lees. [ABV and residual sugar to be confirmed.] 750ml.
No critic scores were found for the 2022. House-style context:
James Suckling — 2019 vintage — 95 Points (July 2022):
“Wide-screen nose of spices and exotic fruit (not just lychee, but also papaya and mangosteen!). Very rich and succulent with enveloping creaminess, but only a touch of sweetness and almost no perceptible bitterness, this is a remarkable gewurz that’s astonishingly easy to drink, thanks to the silky texture and excellent balance at the very long finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Wine-Searcher aggregate (all vintages): 90/100 across 43 critic reviews (most between 90 and 94)
Importer (2022 vintage):
“Gewurztraminer with all the exotic and spicy fruit aromas (lychee, mango, grapefruit) one could hope for with a persistent and rich palate. Opulent structure with fantastic freshness.”
Domaine Dirler-Cadé (producer description):
“Elegant wine, spicy from the nose but sweet on the palate with a slight acidity that makes it lively. A gastronomic wine that will age well.”
Nose
Pale gold. Lychee, mango, papaya, mangosteen, and grapefruit, with rose, nutmeg, ginger, mild spices, and a hint of truffle.
Palate
Rich, silky, and opulent, with exotic fruit, honey, and spice, balanced by lively acidity, with a creamy texture.
Finish
Very long and fresh, with spice and a gentle sweetness.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Alsace Grand Cru Kitterlé, Guebwiller, Alsace, France |
| Variety | 100% Gewurztraminer |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Producer | Domaine Dirler-Cadé (biodynamic; Jean Dirler & Ludivine Cadé) |
| Vineyard | Kitterlé — steep walled terraces; lean sandy soils |
| Style | Sweet (recent vintages ~34–38 g/L residual sugar) |
| Critics | None found for 2022; 2019 James Suckling 95; Wine-Searcher average 90 (all vintages) |
| Cellaring | A decade or more |
| Serving Temperature | 8–10°C |
| Style / Identity | An opulent, spicy, exotic-fruited, fresh biodynamic Grand Cru Gewurztraminer |
| Aromas & Flavors | Lychee, mango, papaya, grapefruit, rose, ginger, nutmeg, honey |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Serve chilled, at about 8-10°C.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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