Jean-Baptiste Adam
Empreinte Pinot Gris de Maceration – 2021
Region: FRANCE - ALSACE
Jean-Baptiste Adam
For more than 400 years, Jean-Baptiste Adam and his family have been grape growers and winemakers in Ammerschwihr. Throughout the centuries the Adam family has farmed vineyards, made wine, sold wine locally and sold wine in foreign lands. They survived the Thirty Years War (1618-1648), the Valois and Bourbon dynasties, the French Revolution, the Napoleonic wars, annexation by Germany and back to France, WWI, WWII, famine and disease.
Jean-Batiste V joined the winery in 1982, at the age of 21, after finishing his studies of wine, enology, and marketing. In 1996, Jean-Baptiste took over full management of the property from his father, Jean-Marie. Soon after taking charge of the company, he modernized the winery and created a processing and storage facility for the production of Crémant. In 2003, he converted the vineyards to biodynamic agriculture wholeheartedly and they are DEMETER certified since 2007. Today, he is considered a leader of biodynamic farming practices in Alsace.
Jean-Baptiste’s daughter, Laure, is the 15th generation to work in the family business. Armed with a BS in Viticulture and Enology, a Wine and Commerce license, and a master’s degree in Wine Management & Marketing, she is an integral part of all winery, viticulture and trade operations.
Jean-Baptiste Adam produces wines of elegance, balance, minerality and longevity.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Estate vineyards in Ammerschwihr, Alsace.
- Soil: Granite
- Farmed using organic principles
- DEMETER certified biodynamic
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested with sorting in the vineyard
- 10 day maceration
- Slow pneumatic press and cold settling
- Fermentation in century-old wooden casks at 68ºF/20ºC
- Malolactic fermentation
- Aged 18 months in cask
Winemaker's Notes
The name “Empreinte” embodies 3 essences: the terrior of Alsace, the winemaker Laure Adam, 15th generation of the family, and the maceration process.
Vibrant and brilliant orange. Distinctive aromas of saffron and toasted nuts from extended maceration. Luminous, very fresh and subtle, this unique wine will surprise and delight.
Wine Summary
100% Pinot Gris; alcohol: 13.5%; estate vineyards in Ammerschwihr, Alsace; granite soils; named for the terrior of Alsace, Laure Adam the 15th generation winemaker, and the maceration process; hand harvested; long, slow maceration for 10 days; gentle press and cold settling; fermented in century-old wooden casks; malolactic fermentation and 18 months aging in cask; certified DEMETER biodynamic.
Technical Information
- 100% Pinot Gris
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Total Acidity: 3.62 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 0 g/l
Reviews
90 Points
This 2021 Pinot Gris Empreinte is from a range first made in 2019. It is a pure Pinot Gris from granitic soils in Ammerschwihr, macerated for ten days on skins, wholly destemmed. It spent 1.5 years in foudre. The pale orange-pink color is most alluring. White pepper spice and roasted, crispy chicken skin aromas gradually appear. The palate is taut, peppery and tingling with spice with an added creaminess on a slender body. Phenolics are tender. The pepperiness makes this elegant wine stand out. (Bone-Dry) 2024 – 2030
Vinous, April, 2024
90 Points
This is cloudy, with floral, violet-like notes, and zesty citrus, framing the core of red peach and white cherry. It has a nice crunch, with saltiness and a long, precise finish.
Wine Enthusiast, December, 2024
General Info
| Country | France |
| Region | Alsace |
| Appellation(s) | AOP ALSACE – AOP CREMANT D’ALSACE- AOP ALSACE GRAND CRU -AOP VENDANDES TARDIVES- AOP SELECTION DE GRAINS NOBLES |
| Proprietors | Jean-Baptiste Adam, Laure Adam |
| Founded | 1614 |
| Winemaker | Mathilde Jaegler and Philippe Ruhlmann |
| Annual Production | 50,000 to 66,000 9L cases |
| Farming (Sustainable, organic, biodynamic) | Farmed using organic principles, DEMETER certified biodynamic since 2007. In France, certified organic by EcoCert France. |