Riesling Alsace Grand Cru Brand
2016
$91.95*
Out of stock
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...
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The respect for the vine and soil is very important for Olivier and is team of vineyard workers. All viticultural work is carried out by hand with the help of some horses to plough the vineyards with minimum impact of the soil. All vineyards have been certified organic and biodynamic since 2002. Low impact farming is practiced, organic composts are used and yields are restricted.
All wines are fermented in traditional oak vats using native yeasts. No additives are used, and chaptalization is never carried out. The wines are left on their lees and ferment at there own pace, the wines are not fined. Very little sulfites are added and the wines are bottled after at least 18 months on the lees.
This wine is a classic and powerful example of Riesling. The nose is quite lush with layers of pineapple, tangerine and minerality. The palate is lush and rich with a very long finish. This is one wine not to miss out on.
A lot of roasted citrus fruits, but the mineral character is stronger. The mineral component keeps the reins in its hand, driving the wine on to a very straight path and keeping it there in spite of higher alcohol (just over 13%) than the other rieslings of this vintage from Zind Humbrecht. Already delicious now, but this has enormous aging potential. Made from biodynamically grown grapes.
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A touch of flint hovers above the fragrance of freshly cut citrus-peel notes that are reminiscent of clementine and tangerine. On the palate the tangy, zesty notes play first fiddle but they are supported by a whole orchestra of juicy clementine and tangerine flesh. This is ripe freshness or fresh ripeness of fruit that comes with a disarming playfulness and well-honed generosity. The dry lip-smacking tangerine finish makes you crave more.
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Bright straw-yellow. Very pure, clean, fresh aromas and flavors of yellow peach, lime, botanical herbs, sweet spices and a touch of orange jam. Then rich and dense, showing real concentration and depth to the lingering, repeating citrus and spice nuances. Finishes with an enticing multilayered quality, not to mention outstanding length. A fantastic wine. In 2016 Humbrecht did not use any grapes from his younger vines to make this wine, because he felt they had suffered some water stress that led to difficult fermentations and ultimately a different-tasting wine.
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