Jean-Baptiste Adam
Riesling Kaefferkopf Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru Alsace AOP – 2020
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 A.O.C. Alsace Grand Cru, the Kaefferkopf was 1st to be recognized by legal delimitation in 1932, and awarded Grand Cru status in 2007. Beautifully sunny plots stretched over several sub-Vogosian hillsides.
- Altitude: 790–1,050 feet/240-320 meters
- Soil: Granite and silica with clay and limestone subsoil
- Vines Planted: Before 1965 – average age 60 years
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested with careful berry selection
- Extended pneumatic pressing and static settling
- Vinified and aged in century-old oak casks with temperature controls, usimg only indigenous yeast
- Fermented at 68ºF/20ºC
- Aged several months in cask
- Filtered before bottling
Winemaker's Notes
The oldest wine label from domaine Jean-Baptiste Adam mentions “Kaefferkopf of Ammerschwir” – in 1864. The family has been involved in winemaking for 15 generations. Bright and vibrant, a radiant yellow hue. The delicate bouquet of citrus and flower notes evokes the freshness of a blossoming orchard. The palate’s primary focus is citrus complemented by fresh, lively saline nuances. Structured full of character, this Grand Cru Riesling finishes long wiht a saline tang and savory depth.
Wine Summary
100% Riesling; alcohol: 13%; Grand Cru Kaefferkopf Alsace vineyard across several sub-Vogosian hillsides; silica and granite with clay-limestone subsoil; vines average 60 years; hand harvested; cold settling at 50ºF overnight; gentle whole cluster pressed; vinified and aged in century-old at controlled 68ºF with only indigenous yeast; certified Biodyamic by DEMETER.
Technical Information
- 100% Riesling
- Alcohol: 13%
- Total Acidity: 4.10 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 1.87 g/l
Reviews
92 Points
A brisk attack with zesty, juicy citrus fruit and acacia, leaving the impression of excellent freshness for the vintage. Long finish. 2023 – 2031
Decanter, June, 2023
94 Points
Yellow apple, golden kiwi and honeysuckle followed by beeswax, bitter almonds and subtle kerosene notes. Medium-bodied with mouthwatering acidity. Beautiful slate and stony minerality at the end. Beautiful freshness and vibrancy. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.
jamessuckling.com, December, 2023
93 Points
The 2020 Riesling Vieilles Vignes Kaefferkopf Grand Cru is from two parcels, one 60 years old on granite, the other almost 70 on limestone. The nose is lifted with a touch of kerosene, followed by Miabelle and hayflowers. Smoothness defines the palate. The flow and freshness have granite directness, stony and straight with slight limestone buffering. Together, they have much concentration and direction, always with that ethereal hayflower lift and lasting acidity that lends a cooling finish. (Bone-Dry) 2024 -2040
Jean-Baptiste and his daughter Laure Adam are, respectively, the 14th and 15th generation of the Adam family to lead this estate, which was founded in 1614. They still occupy the same house and work in the same old cellar. They have all their accounting ledgers going back to the French Revolution. But Laure adds that, by now, temperature control has been installed, even in older foudres. Jean-Baptiste Adam joined the estate in 1982 after studying in Beaune, working stages in Burgundy and Cahors and completing military service. He took over from his father, Jean Adam, in 1999. Laure Adam joined the estate in 2012 after studying in Rouffach and Colmar, completing an MBA in Bordeaux and working with Pelissero in Piedmont, Alsace and wine retail in London. Father and daughter run the estate and look after the winemaking, while Laure’s husband, Emmanuel Bogen-Adam, is the chief viticulturist. Since 2003, the estate has been certified biodynamic. They own 20 hectares of vineyards and lease and farm a further 10, mostly in Ammerschwihr and Ingersheim, with more holdings in Bennwihr. The Kaefferkopf Grand Cru is central to the family. They have labels that show wines made from this site going back to 1853 – even though Grand Cru status was not granted to the site until 2007. Clarity and brightness define the white wines, which beautifully reflect their respecitve sites. The estate is notable for Crémant and its Rieslings.
Vinous, January, 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. |