The Grand Cru Lage Rangen in Thann is the southernmost in Alsace. It is also one of the most highly regarded locations, whose wines are sold at significantly higher prices than the other Grand Crus. The Rangen is known as the Montrachet of Alsace.
At Julien Schaal even the Rangen is a bargain. You have to remember that this wine (vintage 2019) received 97/100 points from Wine Enthusiast, James Suckling is also at 95/100. For these reviews, a bottle price in the mid-20 euros is really an offer. The Rangen location with its volcanic soil is extremely steep, Julien Schaal's plot has a slope of up to 60 degrees in terraced plots. That means hard work, but also Riesling grapes of the highest quality, as this excellent wine from the warm 2022 vintage shows.
The scent of the 2022 Riesling Range by Julien Schaal shows an intense minerality, plus citrus fruits such as grapefruit and stone fruit such as apricots. On the palate it is dense, complex and very powerful, everything is in perfect balance at a very high level. As good as this Grand Cru tastes when young, it is still advisable to give it a few more years of bottle aging in the cellar so that it can develop its full potential.
