JancisRobinson.com

• By Richard Hemming, MW
  6/17/2014 (link)

  (Barmès-Buecher, Hengst Riesling Alsace Grand Cru White) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

• By Stephen Tanzer
  November/December 2010, IWC Issue #153 (link)

  (Domaine Barmes-Buecher Riesling Hengst) Subscribe to see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  11/16/2010 (link)

  (HENGST Riesling BARMES) Alsace Dear Friends, Timing is everything. This offer was slated for early December but yesterday’s Tanzer forces a quick move to this morning. Barmes-Buecher was one of the stars of yesterday’s glowing 2008 IWC Alsatian review and that’s not a surprise. I secured the examples below a few months ago as they were scintillating, pure and stalactite-rich versions of Riesling that have become endangered species in a region global warming appears to have selected as its guinea pig (especially to the far south of Colmar). If you are a fan of Riesling (everything from the Wachau to the Mosel), you will nod your head in appreciation for what Francois Barmes has accomplished in 2008 – it’s that exciting (exhilarating is more appropriate). All are naturally made and 100% BIO/organic with a transparency of origin and vintage that sets them apart. A few words from Francois: “Wine is made on the vine and not in the winery. Any treatments are carried out using plant extracts :- nettle, horsetail, osier, yarrow, chamomile and valerian. Naturally, each variety, which is the signature of its terroir, is harvested apart, the grapes are sorted by a team of 6 to 10 people who in turn remove the few remaining damaged berries or grapes gathered by the harvesters. Each wine is then gently pressed in two pneumatic presses for 6 to 16 hours. Thanks to the work that has previously been carried out, no chaptalization, no fining, no enzyme treatment, and no yeast addition are needed”. Did I say these were a labor of love? They are. In addition, You can throw darts at the examples below – it’s not an “either or” proposition – all command significant attention and all will age for decades, even the Rosenberg Riesling, which is one of the top 2008 examples in all of Alsace at its price-point. Keep in mind, Tanzer tasted these at home, over 48-72 hours (which is closer to the way I taste), not just a few sips at the winery and his enthusiasm is about as palpable as I can remember. If you’ve been searching for a few bottles of Riesling to cellar, you can dive in head-first as the reward should be well-worth your patience 10-20 years from now. I’ve also tried to keep the pricing as low as possible on the entire parcel. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED up to 12 x each wine until we run out – quantities are finite – they hardly had any left when I secured these and I'm sure they are already on 2009 at this point (which is the opposite style of 2008)... 2008 Domaine Barmes-Buecher Riesling Rosenberg 1er - (I'm offering this at close to zero margin to give you the impetus to try it – compare at $25-30+; if you are price-checking, the Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner Rosenberg are several price-points below this – the Riesling is line-priced with the Pinot Gris Rosenberg) 2008 Domaine Barmes-Buecher Riesling Hengst Grand Cru - (compare at $40-45+ in the US) 2008 Domaine Barmes-Buecher Riesling Steingrubler Grand Cru - (compare at 50+ in the US) I almost forgot, a few of you may be interested in the following bonus wine as well (what appears to be the highest rated/lowest priced of its genre)...EXTREMELY LIMITED/VERY RARE: 2008 Domaine Barmes-Buecher Pinot Gris Rosenberg Vendange Tardive (500 ml) - (this is not the regular Pinot Gris Rosenberg de Wettolsheim, compare at $70+ in the US) To order any of the above: niki@garagistewine.com (as an additional bonus, many of you have asked for Huet over the last few weeks, spurred by my references of late – give our friend Lyle Fass a shout at: lyle.fass@grapesthewineco.com He’s secured a parcel of Huet sec from 2007 at prices that are fantastic – Grapes is not affiliated with us in any way but they deserve a nod for a top offer) This parcel is set to depart the cave – it will arrive in Jan (please check OARS for local pick up after Jan 15th). It will ship during the Spring shipping season and will cellar for years... Out of state orders will be held for free under ideal storage conditions (56 degrees/70%humidity) until shipping is possible. Locals may pick up at their leisure. For current local pick up and arrival/ship information, please see your OARS link below (at the bottom of this offer) - don’t know how to access your OARS? Simply click the link and see your account. You can also paste the link into your browser. If you are having trouble with your link or your account, please contact: support@garagistewine.com NO SALES TO RETAILERS OR WHOLESALERS Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Click here to view the status of your orders in O.A.R.S.