Kubler’s 2008 Pinot Gris Zinnkoepfle extends the characteristics found in the corresponding “K” bottling – toasted almond; brown spices; peach; a hint of caramel; and saline, smoky, alkaline undertones – but with subtle oiliness and more overt sweetness that nevertheless fits the wine’s personality. There is an admirable sense of primary juiciness as well as lift in the finish. This ought to delight for at least the next 6-8 years. Philippe Kubler is among the few Alsace growers I met to have elected – quite reasonably in my opinion – to market some of his 2009s ahead of (and others concurrent with) the corresponding 2008s. He notes that “the styles are dramatically different, and the 2008s deserve a year or longer in the bottle whereas the 2009s are ready to drink.” That said, I suspect that save for the V.T.s among them, Kubler’s 2008s aren’t really built for long aging.Importers include Chateau St. Martin, Bellevue, WA; tel. (425) 462 1717 and Wine Symphony, Inc., New York, NY; tel. (212) 226-8283

Kubler’s 2007 Pinot Gris Zinnkoepfle beautifully balances richness and creaminess of texture with infectious juiciness such as one rarely finds in this grape outside of the 2007 vintage, although Kubler seeks to assure me that the high elevation of the site is contributory. Despite 30 grams of residual sugar, this comes off as only slightly sweet. Despite a fruit personality that is rather simply peachy, this finishes with attractive spice notes, and during the at least 6-8 years during which one could expect it to flourish, it might gain further complexity. Young Philippe Kubler returned to his family’s estate in 2004 after diverse and impressive international experience and is conscientiously working to pull this domaine into the vanguard of its region. It should be noted that the initial “K” in several Kubler bottlings is merely a way of designating his basic range of bottlings.Importers include Chateau St. Martin, Bellevue, WA; tel. (425) 462 1717 and Wine Symphony, Inc., New York, NY; tel. (212) 226-8283

Nutty piquancy, salinity, and smokiness lend Kubler’s 2006 Pinot Gris Zinnkoepfle a more complex and varietally typical character than accrues to the corresponding (and sweeter) 2007, yet this too exhibits considerable primary fruit juiciness, tending to support his assertion that the high altitude of the site promotes the retention of sap and vivacity. Hints of mushroom, game, and forest floor offer further interest, even if in pointing to the dark side of the vintage they leads me to recommend that this be enjoyed over the next couple of years. Young Philippe Kubler returned to his family’s estate in 2004 after diverse and impressive international experience and is conscientiously working to pull this domaine into the vanguard of its region. It should be noted that the initial “K” in several Kubler bottlings is merely a way of designating his basic range of bottlings.Importers include Chateau St. Martin, Bellevue, WA; tel. (425) 462 1717 and Wine Symphony, Inc., New York, NY; tel. (212) 226-8283