Julian Schaal, Two Sites, Two Voices of Alsace
Julien Schaal’s new releases from Schoenenbourg and Rosacker are exactly the kind of wines that remind us why the region belongs among the great white-wine terroirs of the world. Although official scores have not yet been published for these bottlings, Julien Schaal’s Grand Cru Rieslings consistently earn mid- to high-90s praise from Vinous, and this vintage shows every sign of continuing that run.
The 2024 growing season was demanding. Late frosts, persistent spring rain, and a cool summer dramatically reduced yields. What followed, however, was a long, warm, unhurried autumn, which allowed Riesling to ripen slowly and completely while preserving acidity and precision. The result is a classically styled vintage: lower alcohols, extraordinary tension, deep site expression, and the kind of structure that promises long, graceful aging.
Even better, these wines represent outstanding value for Grand Cru Alsace Riesling, which is a category that continues to deliver some of the world’s most profound white wines at prices that remain remarkably sane.
2024 Julien Schaal, Schoenenbourg Grand Cru “Gypse” Schoenenbourg is one of Alsace’s most storied vineyard sites, known for producing powerful, layered Rieslings with formidable longevity. The “Gypse” parcel is rooted in gypsum-rich marl that contributes both authority and finesse. In 2024 it delivers a broad, enveloping palate: ripe orchard fruit, subtle spice, crushed stone, and a deep, resonant minerality. The wine’s natural generosity is beautifully focused by the vintage’s vivid acidity, creating a Riesling of weight, tension, and immense aging potential.
2024 Julien Schaal, Rosacker Grand Cru “Calcaire” Rosacker sits on steep, limestone-dominated slopes above Hunawihr and is revered for its elegance and precision. The “Calcaire” bottling captures that personality perfectly: bright citrus, white flowers, saline minerality, and a long, crystalline finish. Where Schoenenbourg offers breadth and power, Rosacker brings cut, finesse, and breathtaking purity — a Riesling that glides rather than strides.
Together, these two wines tell the story of Alsace at its finest. This is the dialogue between soil, slope, climate, and vintage, expressed through a winemaker whose work has earned global respect and consistently elite scores.
The 2024 vintage’s combination of low yields, classical balance, electric structure, and long life ahead makes these releases especially compelling. And at their price point, they stand among the most exciting Grand Cru values available today.
