"Rene Mure's Clos St. Landelin, an impressive south-facing slope in the chalk-and-clay grand cru Vorbourg is located in a particularly warm and dry microclimate south of Colmar. In 2002, the Vorbourg escaped much of the grey rot that plagued the Alsace region. He considers his 2002s to be more elegant and precise than the 2001s; acids were higher in 2002 but the fruit was plenty ripe. And there was very little botrytis. Mure's top wines get a full 18 months of elevage." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

Cremant
To produce fine sparkling wines, only the very best healthy grapes can be used to obtain a perfect balance of fruit flavor and acidity. They are pressed whole, without first being crushed or destemmed and the juice undergoes its first fermentation in casks. The subtle combination of pinot blanc, pinot Auxerrois, chardonnay, pinot noir and Riesling gives that extraordinary delicacy to Ren? Mur?'s cr?mants.
mv $17.99
"The non-vintage Cremant d'Alsace Cuvee Prestige Brut is produced from an assemblage of Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Its toasty, citrus fruit-laden nose leads to a tangy, lemon and mineral-dominated personality. This light-bodied, fresh, dry, and vibrant wine possesses a long and pure finish." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

In the 7th century this vineyard belonged to the Bishopric of Strasbourg. A bishop in the 8th century donated it to the Saint Landelin Abbey. According to the deeds of the time these vines were chosen from among the best in Alsace. The Mur? family bought this vineyard in 1935. The Clos Saint Landelin is on the southern slope of the Vorbourg hill with the Grand Cru Vorbourg. The wines from the Clos Saint Landelin are profound and delicate with marked fruity aromas. They are characterized by their perfect balance and their aging qualities. The unique exposure of the Clos Saint Landelin makes it ideal for the production of late harvest and noble rot sweet wines which regularly come from this vineyard

Riesling Clos Landelin
1998 $37.99 very limited
1999 $37.99 limited

Pinot Noir Clos Landelin
1999 $48.99 very limited
"Crushed plum and black cherry notes are augmented by earth and vegetal accents in this impressive, powerful Pinot Noir. Plenty of sweet fruit and ripe tannins hold court on the finish. Drink now through 2008." The Wine Spectator 5/31/02
"From rocky soil on the plateau of the hill; aged in two-thirds new oak barriques Very good full deep red. Fresh aromas of cherry, plum, tobacco and sexy oak tones. Supple, vinous and full, with fairly dense red fruit and oak char flavors. Still a bit of acidity to be absorbed but there also good sweetness here." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-01

This Grand Cru is protected by the two highest peaks in the Vosges mountain range (the Grand Ballon and the Petit Ballon) and has an exceptionally sunny microclimate. The name "Vorbourg" is a corruption of Vorbourg or foothill in German which describes the geography of the hillside, i.e. the first ridge of the Vosges foothills near Rouffach. Its clayey and chalky soil is composed of oolitic limestone with the lower slopes covered with loess deposits. The exposure is south to south-east (the Clos Saint Landelin is on the southern side of this hill). The grape varieties elegantly express fruity aromas, which harmonizes with the richness and depth of the wine. There is a balanced touch of acidy freshness. The continued sunshine in the late fall contributes to the development of botrytis, or noble rot, producing the famous late harvest and noble rot sweet wines.

Riesling Vorbourg
1999 $22.99 very limited
"Gorgeous. A touch sweet initially, buoying the peach, citrus and smoke notes, and accenting the round profile, yet there's a firm backbone of acidity and also some weight that keeps it all focused. Drink now through 2005." 90 The Wine Spectator 12/15/01
"Aromas of candied lemon peel and white grapefruit, along with a whiff of honey. Firm, fresh and penetrating, but rather easygoing and not at all hard. Notes of lemon and stone. Finishes with good persistence." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-01

Gewurztraminer Vorbourg
1999 $23.99 very limited
"A powerful white, rich and firmly structured, exhibiting honey, citrus and apricot flavors. Drink now." The Wine Spectator 12/15/01
"Pure but reticent aromas. Denser and brighter than the basic Vorbourg bottling, with stronger stony underpinning and nicely integrated acidity. Chewier in the middle palate. Finishes long and quite fresh." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-01

The plateau above the Clos Saint Landelin is called Lutzeltal. The German origin of the name is lutzel or litzel (little) and Tal (vale). This plateau has the shape of a wide valley. The soil is particularly stony and is composed of sandy limestone with a little clay. The climate is dry, due to its exposure to the wind and to the fact that Rouffach is the area in Alsace with the lowest rainfall. The wines are very delicate and characterized by an aromatic array that is fruit driven. Lutzeltal produces superb Pinot Gris.

Pinot Gris Lutzeltal
2000 $26.99 limited
1999 $25.99 very limited

The locality called Schulzengass is located on richer soil below the Grand Cru Vorbourg, but it still has good drainage due to the well known chalky subsoil in Rouffach. The origin of the name is from the German Schulz (soldier) and Gass (lane) - the Schulzengass is located along the old Roman road. The wines are rich, full-bodied and profound. The wine requires rather long maturing first on lees and then in the bottle. It is rich in alcohol because the south-eastern exposure brings the grapes to full maturity.

Gewurztraminer Schulzengass
1999 $26.99 limited
"Intense and concentrated, yet finely honed, displaying pure flavors of flowers, peach, grapefruit and spice on a firm backbone. Good lingering finish of grapefruit peel." The Wine Spectator 12/15/01

The excellent location and exposure of the hillsides around the Rouffach area have attracted grape growers and winemakers since Roman times, giving rise to an economy mainly focused on wine production. The reputation of the quality of the vineyards of the "C?te de Rouffach" dates back to the possessions of the realm of Austrasia in the north east of France during the Merovingian period (511- 751). In the 7th century the Rouffach region became the temporal property of the bishops of Strasbourg who remained the owners, but rented the property out to tenant farmers until the French Revolution in 1789. Sheltered by the highest peaks of the Vosges mountains, this terroir receives an exceptional amount of sunshine. The mainly chalky subsoil ensures good drainage. The exposure of the hillsides goes from east to south-west. The wines with the C?te de Rouffach label are characterized by their delicacy, fruitiness and freshness. Due to the climate, they often have noble rot and usually age well.

Pinot Blanc Cote de Rouffach
The Mur??s have been working for years with a few top growers located on the hillsides of Rouffach. They pick the fruit by hand allowing the whole clusters to be pressed.Fermentation takes place in temperature controlled tanks, resulting in a Pinot Blanc with a delicate, floral nose and excellent roundness.
2002 $12.99
2000 $12.99

Pinot Gris Cote de Rouffach
The Mur??s dedication to producing top-quality wines begins in the vineyards. Working with farmers growing organically and maintaining lower yields produce very ripe fruit. All the fruit is hand-harvested and immediately pressed whole-cluster.Extended lees contact adds richness to the wine. This Tokay Pinot Gris offers a perfumed nose and richly balanced palate, with a touch of sweetness in the finish.
2002 $15.99
2000 $15.99 limited
"The 2000 Tokay-Pinot Gris Cote de Rouffach displays demure aromas of smoky spices. Light to medium-bodied, this bone-dry wine has an appealing glycerin-like oily texture. It has good depth to its pear and mineral-flavored personality. Projected maturity: Now-2005." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Gewurztraminer Cote de Rouffach
2002 $15.99
2000 $15.99 limited
"The rose-scented 2000 Gewurztraminer Cote de Rouffach, according to Rene Mure, contains more alcohol, acidity, and sweetness than the regular bottling yet comes across as dryer. Exotic fruits, potpourri, and apricots can be found in its pure, light to medium-bodied flavor profile. It should be consumed over the next 4-5 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Riesling Cote de Rouffach
Ren? Mur? has had long-term associations with some of the top growers in the villages of Rouffach and Westhalten. Working closely with the same farmers helps ensure yields are kept below 45 he/ha, and that the fruit is picked only when fully ripe ? and then by hand. The grapes are whole-cluster pressed, extracting the beautiful aromas and pure fruit flavors.
2002 $13.99

Mure Family - Harvest 1930