While Boxler is a fantastic foil to our long term Alsace grower Zind-Humbrecht, there is hugely more to this producer than as a mere alternative. There is a massive amount to love about Albert Boxler. Take the history of this mobile family. They moved from Switzerland to Alsace in the 17th century, which isn’t a massive shift in geography, but then some went off to Montana and it was the eponymous Albert who returned from there in 1946 to re-vivify the Domaine and who commenced bottling. The label was designed by Albert’s cousin who was a painter and decorator and is retained – gloriously unaltered – today. Jean is his grandson and assumed leadership in 1996.

The Domaine is based in Niedermorschwihr and the family live in the shadow of the Sommerberg. Jean doesn’t treat this Grand Cru as a single site. He believes that there are multiple terroirs within this and so vinifies and bottles them separately as distinct lieu-dits. We love the freshness and precision of his wines and are very pleased to offer his Cremant d’Alsace – arguably the best in the region, and an exciting, small production of Pinot Noir as well has his rich Pinot Gris and Riesling. (CW 30/09/20)