We are very pleased to bring you six remarkable Alsatian wines from Domaine Vincent Stoeffler. But before I tell you about each of them, I want you to know that all six are available in a six-bottle sampler case that I think is the finest white wine offer (and perhaps best over all offer) we have made to date. If you never make another purchase through Arthur's Cellar Wine Club, I urge you to make this one ... the wines are that good!

You can read all about the vineyard and how Hélène and I came upon it in the attached issue of 'Selections'. But, the big story is about the wines, and here they are:

2006 Riesling Muhlforst (Lieu Dit) – (13.5% Alc. By Vol.)                       $27/$162 per case of 6
This light straw coloured beauty comes from thirty year old vines located in a single parcel of land in the Muhlforst area near Hunawhir. ‘Lieu Dit’ is a French term used to refer to the local, traditional name of a small area of land, usually defined by topography or history. The full aroma is one of pineapple, pear and a trace of honey which carry through in the mouth with a lusciousness that is most pleasing. This elegant, just off-dry wine is wonderful to sip on its own and would be a delightful companion for roast chicken and other white, lightly sauced meats. Order some now.

2007 Riesling Kirchberg de Barr Grand Cru – (13.5% Alc. By Vol.)      $33/$198 per case of 6
“Wonderful!” That’s my first note in my tasting book about this extravagant Riesling that comes from the family plot in the Grand Cru Kirchberg de Barr vineyards. The yield is a very low thirty hectolitres per hectare. One is struck by zesty aromas of pineapple, spiced pears, coconut and a hint of orange. In the mouth it is very round and full with a beautiful minerality and great length. The lovely acidity keeps this wine from being too sweet. Marvellous all by itself, this stunner will go brilliantly with most seafood, roast poultry and grilled white meats. Order some now.

2006 Riesling Schoenenbourg Grand Cru – (13.5% Alc. By Vol.)           $33/$198 per case of 6
I thought the Kirchberg de Barr was the finest Riesling I had ever tasted and then along came this Schoenenbourg Grand Cru! I wouldn’t say it is better; but more feminine, even fuller and every bit as tasty. Once again the pineapple, coconut and spiced pear are prominent on the nose and carry through in the mouth where it is unctuous, well-balanced and just stunning. It too will go well with grilled white meats and roasted fowl and, of course, choucroute garnie. Order some of this huge, sensational Riesling now.

2007 Pinot Gris Vieilles Vignes – (13.5% Alc. By Vol.)                             $29/$174 per case of 6
This stunner comes from vines averaging over fifty years of age. It is a straw colour with glints of bright green. It has vibrant aromas of peaches, apricots, spices and a hint of smoke. In the mouth, it is opulently rich, full and dense with lovely acidity balancing the sweetness. It would go wonderfully with seafood in white sauce, chicken casseroles and oriental cuisine. I would give this luscious, pleasing young wine another year or so in the bottle before uncorking. Order some pure pleasure.

2007 Pinot Gris Kirchberg de Barr Grand Cru – (13.5% Alc. By Vol.)  $36/$216 per case of 6
Foie gras! The second I tasted this magnificent, sumptuous wine I wished I had a bit of foie gras to accompany it – particularly the way Moustafa Rougabi prepares it at his very special BYOB restaurant, La Colombe in Montreal. This light yellow beauty has an aroma chocked full of peaches, apricots, honey and very hard to define spices. It is so refined in the mouth, yet full and round with a firm background of acidity. It goes on forever. It would benefit from another year or more of bottle aging to develop its underlying complexity. It is simply an unbelievably luscious wine. Order some now.

2007 Gewürztraminer Vielles Vignes - (13.5% Alc. By Vol.)                    $32/$192 per case of 6
This is simply a divine Gewürztraminer! To sum up my impression of this wine I wrote ‘Smashing’ with several underscores. Light honey coloured, it has a perfumed aroma of lychees, grapefruit, roses, pineapples, flowers and exotic spices. These scents explode in the mouth where they leave a full, round and balanced yet elegant impression; definitely not overblown. It seems sweet, but isn’t thanks to a gentle acidity. Order some of this sultry treasure now.

Stoeffler’s Alsatian Sampler – (13.5% Alc. By Vol.)                            $31.67/$190 per case of 6
I would be more than hard pressed to select just one of these six beautiful Alsatian wines (heavens, it was nearly impossible to select the six that we did). Thankfully, Vincent came up with a solution to this delicious dilemma. He has created a sampler case of one bottle each of the six splendid wines. This is a truly glorious opportunity to try a half dozen of the finest white wines we have ever offered. If you never order another white wine from your wine club, we urge you to order the Stoeffler’s Alsatian Sampler.

We plan to take your requests to the LCBO on Thursday, January 8th.

Please note that our prices include one dollar per bottle handling fee.

As 2008 draws to a close, we wish you great happiness during the holidays and a healthy and prosperous, wine filled 2009.

Cheers!

Jim & Hélène
Arthur Sellers & Company
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.arthursellers.com