Pinot Gris Roche Volcanique
2022
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 original Pinot-Gris vines were planted in 1963 on the Rangen vineyard. After acquiring the Clos-Saint-Urbain in 1977, the domaine planted subsequently more Pinot-Gris vines between 1978 and 1999. Some vintages, there is an obvious difference in behaviour between the oldest and youngest vines. The dark volcanic sedimentary soil does degrade and produce interesting clay and minerals that are drained deep into the grauwacke mother rock. It takes a long time for the vines to reach these profound layers and in years with less rainfalls, the younger vines can struggle more. 2022 is also a vintage that had a big potential of grapes, more visible on the younger vines, so the difference of yield between old and younger vines was an important factor motivating us to separate the two wines. Obviously, younger vines doesn’t mean ‘young’ vines at 39 years old average!
Bright pale-yellow colour. Expressive fruity and smoky nose (smoked ham, grilled hazelnuts). The palate has a velvety texture, lots of depth and length without too much power. Gentle balance showing a saline acidity on the finish. Very easy wine to enjoy today. Dry, but with a certain softness due to a good dry extract that brings volume on the palate. Obviously Rangen in taste…
Notes of raisin bread and cooked quince pour from the glass of this dry pinot gris with a level of concentration that makes most wines from this grape seem watery by comparison. Super elegant and clean at the long, mineral finish. From biodynamically grown grapes.
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This pinot gris is not only the ripe and rich kind you can drink with foie gras, it has a texture that actually reminds me a bit of foie gras. Lots of salted-butter and salted-caramel character with some cooked quince, the hint of sweetness already beautifully integrated right through the long, ripe finish. From biodynamically grown grapes.
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An exceptionally expressive pinot gris that has nothing to do with the regular wines from this grape variety in Alsace. At the coolest end of the exotic fruit spectrum, with notes of Thai basil and lemon balm. Very long, refined and polished finish. From the young pinot gris vines in the Grand Cru Rangen. From biodynamically grown grapes
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There's a minty freshness to this that beautifully complements the smoky touch of this grape. The depth and length of the wine creep up on you gently. Made from biodynamically grown grapes.
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Dry and smoky, this structured Pinot Gris is well-knit and fresh, offering subtle flavors of melon and orange peel, with ample ground ginger, anise and white pepper spice lingering on the finish. Not imported into the U.S. Drink now through 2027. 175 cases made.
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