Riesling Roche Calcaire
2022
$74.10*
9 case(s) available
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
The Humbrecht family birthplace is in the village of Gueberschwihr, where this wine comes from. Originating from many little vineyards dispersed around the village, they all have a limestone base as common factor. Limestone is often associated with marl or richer elements that make such vineyard much more drought resistant. This is a clear advantage in hot and dry vintages like 2022: the vines grow easily and are capable to retain acidity. Here, the soils are also quite rich. Calcaire often means tighter, leaner, higher acidity wines, but also Riesling wines that have a serious ageing potential. These soils also have a better metabolism and that can be seen on the 2022 vintage. A very warm year, but yet this wine has an acidity and pH often only found in colder vintages. Long fermentation, full lees contact until bottling, completely dry wine.
Pale yellow colour. Expressive Riesling nose typical from limestone origin: citrus, light mineral notes, stony flavours, honey. Vivacious palate, crisp, amazing acidity and freshness. This is a very classic Roche Calcaire that finishes bone dry with a lacy texture. This wine will still need some time to open up and it is highly recommended to decant it in the first years after bottling.
Brimming with star fruit, bergamot and flint, this is a dangerously fresh and minerally dry riesling for this warm and dry vintage. Terrific drive right through the bone-dry palate, the slate and Amalfi lemon zest at the finish strident. From biodynamically grown grapes
See detailed press review
The 2022 Riesling Roche Calcaire is harvested across the limestone soils of the estate from vines that do not make it into the single vineyards. In 2022, this was restricted to the marl and limestone soils of the village of Gueberschwihr, around the Goldert Grand Cru, a site that Humbrecht calls "virtually drought-proof." The nose still flickers with yeasty funk and lovely, flinty reduction, but even this funkiness does not obscure the vibrant lemon and orange peel. The palate is fresh but so buffered, with stunning limestone smoothness wrapping itself around a central vein of bright freshness. This is lip-smacking and approachable. It's friendly and bright already. The finish shines with a tart yellow apple. (Bone-Dry)
See detailed press review