The remarkable wines of Anne-Claire Schott, Three Lakes, Switzerland
Website: https://www.schottweine.ch/ and https://www.aromaderlandschaft.ch/
I’ll admit to being smitten by the wines of Anne-Claire Schott, who is based in Neuchatel, in the Three Lakes region of Switzerland, where she farms Demeter-Certified biodynamically. She has two wine labels. The first is a more traditional line of wines, in the style her parents, Peter and Marie-Thérèse, made. The second is a new line she created, called Aroma der Landschaft (the aroma of the landscape), which she began in 2014 when she started at the winery. These are more naturally inclined wines, although she says she has pulled back a bit from a fully natural approach, citing parameters she says you can’t control, even if the wine is clean.
Anne-Claire Schott Vin Mousseux Brut Nature 2022 Bielersee, Switzerland
Pinot Noir. Taut and focussed with lovely citrus fruit and a hint of pear. Pure and linear with lovely texture, showing precision. 92/100
Anne-Claire Schott Chasselas Selection 2024 Bielersee, Switzerland
This is fermented and aged in large old oak on lees. Fine, fresh and focused. Bright and linear with lovely purity, showing appealing crystalline citrus fruit. Finishes bright and persistent. Such a lovely wine. 94/100
Anne-Claire Schott Chasselas Selection 2022 Bielersee, Switzerland
Ripe pear and white peach fruit with some grapey detail and a bit of wet stone savouriness. Nice balance here. 93/100
Anne-Claire Schott Chasselas Orange 2024 Bielersee, Switzerland
This is raised in a concrete egg and spends one week on skins. Real precision here with fine, slightly saline-laced acidity as well as a bit of structure. Hints of white pepper. Precise and fine. 96/100
Anne-Claire Schott Chardonnay 2024 Bielersee, Switzerland
This spends 10 months in barrique, 20% new, and a bit of orange wine is added. Powerful and structured with a bit of fine spiciness and good acidity. So taut and precise with real complexity. Classic and fine. 95/100
Anne-Claire Schott Coplantation 2023 Bielersee, Switzerland
This is from six grape varieties all planted together in the same plot, which is still quite young. Complex nose of spice and wax and honey. Nice pear and peach fruit. This is structured on the palate with nice balance and focus. It’s slightly salty, very long, and has real presence. 95/100
Anne-Claire Schott Pinot Gris Orange 2023 Bielersee, Switzerland
12.6% alcohol. Red/copper in colour. Complex spicy nose with some reductive hints. The palate is textured and spicy with nice firmness, and has beautiful cherry and lime notes with a fine, herb-laced, spicy finish. Such a lovely wine. 94/100
Anne-Claire Schott Pinot Noir Réserve 2024 Bielersee, Switzerland
25% whole cluster (layered) and 10% new oak. This is focused and pure, and fresh and direct with lovely finesse. Black cherries and spice with a hint of structure. Classic, showing real finesse. 94/100
Anne-Claire Schott Mon Vieux Pinot Noir 2023 Bielersee, Switzerland
This spends 12 months in barrique and there’s 30% new wood. Old vineyard. Concentrated, fine and mineral with nice spiciness. This has concentration and density, with good weight and structure. Lovely energy to the spice-laden red cherry fruit. 96/100
