The 2005 Riesling Belzbrunnen – from a gravel and sand site much like the Kessler – smells of apple, sage, peppermint, orange zest, and lime, offers a satisfyingly juicy, lime sorbet-like palate backed by a hint of sweetness, and finishes with a surprisingly almost Mosel-like delicacy and a sense of Riesling exploring its Muscat family roots. Jean Dirler opines that this needs several years to show its complete personality. So enormous is the range of wines nowadays grown at the combined Dirler and Cade domaine that I did not have the time to taste them all. (All of those I did taste are at least mentioned in the text.) Along with the involvement of the new generation – Jean Dirler and his wife Ludivine (nee Cade) – the entire domaine has been farmed biodynamically since 1998 (and parts of the Kessler and Kitterle with horse), a factor the family thinks especially beneficial given the climatic extremes that have prevailed in recent years. Riesling and Pinot Gris are generally fermented in foudre here, and other whites usually in tank. Very few families of Alsace wine have exhibited long-term the consistent quality and age-ability one can expect of those bottled under the Dirler name.Importer: Robert Chadderdon Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 757-8185