WTN: Alsace Muscat complaint

2010 Frédéric Mochel Muscat –Alsace, France 12,5% alc.

100% Muscat Ottonel
Pleasant enough. Delicately floral, ginger, pear, lavender, but rather one-dimensional and completely lacking in acidity, which should be a hallmark of 2010 especially in the Bas-Rhine. I hate to pick on Mochel, because they make some very good Riesling. Instead, I’d like to issue a gentle complaint to Alsace, the so-called Mecca of dry Muscat for allowing the inclusion of this high-yielding, early ripening, watered-down crossing in blends with the much finer Muscat a Petit Grains. For the real-deal, look for Gelber Muskateller, and Product of Germany on the label.

Cheers,
Bill

It is hard enough to find Alsace Muscat in the US, but now we need to seek out the German? Just about the only one I've seen (but not tried) has been Darting's. Is the Muscat that you find so disappointing the one known as Muscat Ottonel? There are a few producers in the (NY) Finger Lakes with Muscat Ottonel (probably a Dr. Frank legacy) and it never seems 100% satisfying.

I'm not sure of the blend makeup of Domaine Weinbach's Muscat Reserve, but it's a mighty fine glass of wine.

[David M. Bueker]

Never heard of Mochel, so no specific comments on their wine, but if I am looking for Muscat I go for Boxler or (dare I say it) Zind-Humbrecht. I love some German Muskateller (Catoir - not as good as it used to be, but still fine, Geil - up and coming), but it doesn't have the same intense florality of the Alsatian versions in my opinion.

i've found some of the less expensive muscats that you buy IN alsace to be very good. in fact the by the glass muscats at almost any little place seem better than most of the stuff we see here. but on another note, lets not forget the moscato giallo and gelber muskateller that come from alto adige. wish we could find some of those here.

Agree with David on the Boxler Muscat (never had the Z-H) and would add Burn and Schleret as solid Alsatian producers (except they both seem absent from the US market in recent vintages). Just noticed a source for the Geil Muskateller in NYC, so I may need to try a bottle.

I just really like the length and acidity of German Muskateller over some of those in Alsace which can get a little heavy. Muscat Ottonel is included in Alsace not to make it taste better, but to insure a better yield and a rounder finish. I'll go Gewürztraminer if I need a low acid, fuller-bodied aromtic white. I like a lot of Alsatian Muscat too (Boxler and Weinbach are great, so are Deiss and ZH), but I don't like buying Alsatian Muscat and getting all or predominantly Ottonel without warning.

Cheers,
Bill