Charlotte et Florent Boxler (Niedermorschwihr, ALSACE)

Since the Robert Chadderdon era, the fabled Boxler estate has been standard bearer for the Great Wines of Alsace. Jean Boxler is producing the wines under his grandfather Albert’s label, which have been my personal reference point, until a fortuitous meeting with Jean’s cousins Charlotte and Florent. Now farming their allotment of the family holdings, and bottling under their grandfather’s label, DOMAINE JUSTIN BOXLER, their wines offer a fresh take on a legendary region that is long overdue for a return to center stage.

Blessed with choice holdings in the Grand Crus Brand, Wineck-Schlossberg, and Sommerberg, along with lieu dit Pfoeller and other parcels in Niedermorschwihr, their approach is of the drier more old-school style (think Léonard Humbrecht or Théo Faller in the 1970s) but still full-flavored, tightly-wound and indicative of serious time spent in the vines. Another A-list vigneron in Alsace told me that he thought they were doing some of the best work among the younger generation, and after tasting through several recent vintages I am in full agreement with the work being done here.

The move to organic farming was ten years ago and with this coming 2022 harvest, they will be certified organic. Given the recent change in leadership and their relatively unknown status in France, the price of their wines is extremely attractive given such a high level of quality. While I can’t promise it will remain this way for long, I am honored to now represent their work exclusively in the United States with France+Western.