2002 Albert Boxler Riesling Brand - France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru AOC (5/19/2014)
L32K for those keeping track of the arcane code numbers.
This is absolutely amazing Riesling right now. I am not even going to try to describe it. Just wow. It’s in a perfect place. Drink some if you’ve got it! (95 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
Boy, that seems delicious! Couldn’t resist drinking mine when they were released; lacked self-control at the time(still do).
Best,
Kenney
Night two, and it is still amazing.
can’t believe you didn’t finish on night one!
Sheer force of willpower. Or just plain stupid.
The 02 Sommerberg’s were also great. I need to check if I have any more. Cheers Mike
My one and only 2002 Sommerberg was consumed long ago. Still have an '03, but I doubt it would provide a similar experience to this '02 Brand.
Sounds a lot better than the Zind-Humbrecht 2002 Riesling Brand we had a few weeks ago out of 375ml. Unlike your Brand, ours lacked acidity and had unpleasant alcohol burn. Over the hill, but couldn’t have been too good even in its prime.
Note: I’m not a Z-H hater (albeit not a lover)… We also had a Z-H 2002 Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain in the past month that was rich and balanced – quite good for the style.
Are folks particularly enthralled with the 2002 vintage in Alsace or just Boxler’s?
Regards,
Peter
I have not tasted widely from 2002, but Boxler and Trimbach both made great wines to my palate.
It’s a bit embarrassing to start with a self-quote, but here’s an update…
After my poor experience with the ZH 2002 Riesling Brand from 375ml, I figured we might as well drink up our only 750ml bottle when we didn’t have company. Opened at home with simple Trader Joe’s dinner – sauteed tofu in their bottled Thai red curry sauce (mildly spicy). Wow, delicious wine that is both rich and balanced! Not hot, and carries its Indice 4 particularly well!
Nowhere close to over the hill – very humbling as a taster. I now assume that my 375ml was poorly handled at some point and not reflective of flawed wine making. 
Both bottles were purchased and shipped from the same (hated and loved) retailer at same time.
Oddly, the branded cork said Brand 2002 VT – did ZH bottle a Brand VT that year too or was there perhaps a late decision to put everything into the regular?
Regards,
Peter
The Z-H Riesling Rangen de Thann 2002 is an amazing wine as well, so I guess it’s a fine vintage (my experience with the vintage is limited though I’ve had a couple of great Boxlers over the years).
I had an excellent Boxler Riesling Sommerberg L31E 2002 (Eckberg) recently.
The Trimbach Frédéric Emile 2002 served along was excellent too.