Riesling Grand cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint-Urbain 2020

ZIND-HUMBRECHT

Riesling Grand cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint-Urbain
2020

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
Country
France
Regulated designation
Appellation origine controlée (AOC)
Region
Alsace
Appellation
Alsace grand cru
Classification
Grand cru
Varietal(s)
Riesling 100 %
Colour
White
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website

About this winery

Olivier Humbrecht is one of the world's most renowned winegrowers. He is a Master of Wine and has been described by Robert Parker as the greatest white winemaker on earth. Yet he is very soft spoken, humble, and self-deprecating, which makes him perfectly suited to his assumed role as a global ambassador of wine. He is a champion of terroir, biodynamic farming principles, and non-interventionist winemaking, whose family have been winegrowers in Alsace for 12 generations (since 1620). He is...

See the ZIND-HUMBRECHT detail page for more information on this brand

Tasting notes

Brilliant straw yellow colour. The volcanic terroir of Rangen dominates the aromatics of this young wine with all its power: gunflint, crushed rocks, good aeration will eventually bring out an aromatic palette of ripe white fruits. Although still on its reserve, this wine impresses with its complexity. The palate is caressing on the attack, ample, rich, and gradually reveals a powerful finish, warm then strict, especially when the acidity and the ripe tannins of the vintage finally manage to express themselves. This Rangen has a majestic intensity. What a wine!

Press reviews

James Suckling

- 99 points -

December 2022 (Vintage 2020)

So smoky, with intense gunpowder character, but also notes of forest mushrooms and jack fruit. This is not only very concentrated, but also has an amazingly sensual mouth-feel that sets out in the wide field of exciting dry Alsace rieslings from the 2020 vintage. Expands and expands as it flows over your palate until it blows your mind at the unbelievably long, smoky finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. 

See detailed press review
James Suckling

- 99 points -

#30 - Top 100 Wines of 2018

November 2018

Super smoky with enormous depth, but also incredibly precise and pristine with a salt, savory and mineral finish that doesn't want to stop. In spite of that unique personality and that there is a couple of decades of aging potential, it's so easy to enjoy right now. Made from biodynamically grown grapes.

See detailed press review
James Suckling

- 99 points -

July 2022 (Vintage 2020)

So smoky, with intense gunpowder character, but also notes of forest mushrooms and jack fruit. This is not only very concentrated, but also has an amazingly sensual mouth-feel that sets out in the wide field of exciting dry Alsace rieslings from the 2020 vintage. Expands and expands as it flows over your palate until it blows your mind at the unbelievably long, smoky finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

See detailed press review
James Suckling

- 98 points -

#26 Top 100 Wines of France

November 2023 (Vintage 2021)

Welcome to the dark side of the dry riesling force where gunpowder meets the stone at the heart of the peach. Dazzling racy intensity. Super-long and pure with a mountain of crushed rock character at the smoky finish. From biodynamically grown grapes.

See detailed press review
 Wine Enthusiast

- 97 points -

ANNE KREBIEHL MW, November 2020 (Vintage 2018)

Initial whiffs of flint, apple and smoke dissipate, leaving this wine with a shy, closed nose. The palate still carries residual carbon dioxide that gives a little spritz but all that is just window dressing for a powerful and concentrated core. Yes, there is concentrated lemon, both peel and pith, but a stony expanse underneath makes this profound, smoky and compelling. The finish is bone dry, bracing and racy. Lemon echoes long, carrying stony heat in its cooling breeze. 

See detailed press review
James Suckling

- 97 points -

December 2020

A unique dry riesling with an astonishing combination of mini banana, mirabelle, baking spice and sea salt. Super concentrated and super elegant, this has a level of poise that’s very rare in the 2018 vintage. I love the way the silky finish caresses the palate. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

See detailed press review
Vinous

- 96 points -

February 2023 (Vintage 2021)

The 2021 Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain Grand Cru is from the famously steep and dark volcanic rock of Rangen with some sandstone inclusions. The soil is rich in potassium which buffers the pH of the wine, making the acid less strident yet lending much power to the wines. The oldest plots of Riesling are up to 60 years old; the younger vines are 45 years old. The color is golden. Underneath the reduction is a spicy smokiness, with greengage and white pepper. There is something utterly fluid, intense, compact and concentrated that seems to have a total verticality, driving into the depth of the rock. The wine has luminous citric yet balanced freshness and is clear as a bell. Wait for this because it will be sensational. The finish is bone-dry and salty. (Bone-dry)

See detailed press review
 Wine Enthusiast

- 96 points -

November 2019 (Vintage 2017)

Notes of flinty reduction combine with fresh green apple and lemon, giving an impression of smokiness. The palate is stony but offers depth and ripeness, with smooth fruit suggesting Amalfi lemon, Mandarin and grapefruit. Here and there a glimpse of Mirabelle plum appears, while the finish speaks of zestiness and barely unleashed power. Let this sleep for a while in the bottle. It will wake up and dazzle you.

See detailed press review
Vinous

- 94 points -

March 2017 (Vintage 2014)

Pale yellow. Cool aromas of green apple, lychee, chlorophyll, powdered rocks and crystallized ginger, lifted by a whiff of orange peel. Dense and quite dry, displaying superb precision to the stone and spice flavors, which are complemented by a suggestion of chewy tropical fruits. Classic Riesling that finishes long and with superb cut and focus. Made from roughly 50-year-old vines.

See detailed press review
Wine Spectator

- 93 points -

October 2013

"Dry and well-focused, this Riesling shows power and definition, remaining well-meshed and accessible. Displays anise and apple pâte de fruit accents, with flavors of juicy pear, apricot tart, melon rind, lychee and honey, followed by a stony mineral note on the finish. Drink now through 2025. "

See detailed press review
Wine Spectator

- 91 points -

2005 (Vintage 2003)

Firm, dry and powerful, this white evokes a combination of peach, white pepper and grapefruit. It shows some heat now, so needs some time to settle down. Salty, mineral aftertaste.

See detailed press review
Jancis Robinson

- 18 points -

May 2014

"Certified organic and biodynamic. RS 6.4 g/l. Cool, refined nose. Rich start and very multi-layered. Lovely! Already very complete and thoroughly enjoyable. Great balance. "

See detailed press review
Jancis Robinson

17.5 Points

July 2022 (Vintage 2020)

Mouth-filling – quite a contrast to the introvert Clos Windsbuhl Riesling 2020. Pungent and crowd-pleasing with obvious ‘minerality.

See detailed press review