Sophie Schaal wines highly rated by Harold Hamersma!

Near the Cape of Good Hope, the couple now owns a few hectares, but their home base is truly Alsace. In the small village of Hunawihr, they run a boutique winery together, where both their own grapes and grapes from local contract farmers are enticed into wine.

Love shines through in their work here as well—for instance, their commitment to organic viticulture, aimed at expressing the region's unique terroir—a geological kaleidoscope of limestone, granite, and volcanic rock—in the purest way possible.

Source: https://www.degrotehamersma.nl/producent/sophie-schaal/

The scores Sophie Schaal received from Harold Hamersma are quite impressive:

Sophie Schaal Crémant d’Alsace – 9

‘Floral and lively. White currants, light apple, a hint of peach, that coquettish signal of brioche, playful acidity, and dry without becoming strict. Honest, juicy, and organic to boot.’

Sophie Schaal Pinot Noir – 9

‘Not bad at all. Pinot Noir is the only permitted red grape in Alsace. Sometimes you wonder why this red grape was planted there in the first place. But that is certainly not the case with Sophie. Her version carries quite some weight. Open, frivolous, and juicy. Some darker tones, but with fine creamy curves. Peppery, cherry-driven. Light acidity. A hint of spiced biscuit without becoming sweet. Earthy beet juice. Bitters with a nice grip.’

Sophie Schaal Pinot Gris – 9-

‘Ripe pear, juicy apple, soft, yet with fresh acidity and touches of exciting spices, a bit of herbiness, a tiny bit of grapefruit for grip.’

Sophie Schaal Gentil – 9-

‘Take this Gentil, a blend of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer. A friendly whisper of ripe pear, mango, pink grapefruit, mandarin, orange peel, rosehip, grapeyness, and a touch of citrus. The back label says ‘sec’. However, the promise of dryness doesn't entirely hold up: we detect a—fortunately tasty—ripe fruit sweetness.’

Sophie Schaal Gewürztraminer – 8.5

‘A good one. Unfolding fully with all the expected aromas and flavors. Baked pineapple, rosehip, overripe gooseberries, ginger, rock candy, and spice. ‘Moelleux’ (semi-sweet) is rightfully mentioned on the back label.’