Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg Eckberg, Albert Boxler

The 2023 Riesling Eckberg Sommerberg Grand Cru is from an elevated parcel with almost no topsoil, reaching up to 400 meters in elevation. The nose here is more subdued, suggesting dried ripe citrus and stone fruit juiciness. This is even sleeker than Vanne, charging like an arrow with zesty freshness despite its relative mildness. Boxler just stays the course, or the vines do, expressing so much verve and stony poise. The 2023 is bracing, brisk and thrilling. (Dry) - Anne Krebiehl MW

Eckberg er det højeste parcel på Sommerberg (det udpeges behørigt for de besøgende), og vinen er nærmest essensen af den mark. Syrerig (meget), koncenteret, intens med citrus galore, citronconfit, kalk; hvis det er et tandlægebesøg, vil man gerne til tandlægen snart igen. Gem den, synd at drikke den nu. - Niels Lillelund

The 2021 Riesling Eckberg is from the highest parcel on the Sommerberg Grand Cru, at 400m of altitude, with very little topsoil on the granite. The vines are now 50 years old and it is always the last parcel to be harvested. The nose only reveals a shimmer of crushed citrus foliage. The palate is super-light and super-bright, like a serene, citrus-scented breeze, stony and almost austere but actually thrilling in its purity, precision and laser focus. This is stone, sunshine and wind, channeled by Riesling into a citrus vision. The acid may be high but it is ripe. Hold on for the ride. Wow. (Bone-dry) - Anne Krebiehl MW

The 2018 Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg Eckberg is quite similar in the nose to the 2020, showing an intense and concentrated, layered bouquet of crushed stones with ripe lemons and phenols. Rich yet vital and pure on the palate, the 2018 reveals stunningly vivacious acidity combined with a long, saline and grippy finish that is still wonderfully biting and stimulatingly bitter. This is a great wine for sure; it just needs another 3–5 years to shine brilliantly. - Stephan Reinhardt

The 2017 Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg Eckberg is very pure and fine on the flinty nose but perfectly ripe and intense, with notes of crushed rocks, lime and grapefruit notes. The palate is lush, piquant and very salty, revealing remarkable finesse and refined fruit. This is piquant and endlessly salty, with very fine tannins and great length. - Stephan Reinhardt

Granite. From Eckberg, a part of Grand Cru Sommerberg. Deep straw colour. Rich, pâtissier aromas. Great tension and excitement. Even more concentration than most of its peers. Almost like essence of Alsace Riesling! Would need cafreful food matching but it's certainly very impressive. - Jancis Robinson

The 2015 Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg Eckberg has a clear, fresh, mineral and highly delicate nose with concentrated white stone fruit but also flinty/stony aromas. Lemon flavors are here as well, but they are concentrated as in a chutney or a cake. Rich, lush, intense and beautifully concentrated (seamless) on the palate, with a lingering minerality, this is another gorgeous Riesling from Jean Boxler. Its finish is lean and finessed but also ripe, concentrated, rich, elegant and endlessly salty. There seems to be some sweetness, but the fine tannins, the body, concentration and finesse balance it perfectly. This Eckberg is fine and rich at the same time. A fascinating Riesling!

The 2014 Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg Eckberg (or just Sommerberg E in Europe) comes from a very steep and stony plot that is 400 meters above sea level, so even more extreme than the regular Sommerberg. From 43- and 45-year-old vines, the Eckberg displays a very pure and flinty bouquet of ripe and concentrated fruits, crushed stones and herbal flavors. On the palate this is powerful, rich and concentrated yet also elegant and well-balanced Sommerberg; it has a round and intense, very juicy and seductive fruit and firm tannins. Still way too young, this rich and powerful Riesling will benefit from further bottle age. Great Riesling to be aged for at least ten years.