Pinot Blanc
2018
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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Following Alsatian tradition, Pinot Blanc is blended with Auxerrois to form this wine. Grapes are sourced from a combination of Zind-Humbrecht's top vineyards, including Herrenweg and Rotenberg vineyard. 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 8 months on the lees.
This wine is very appealing with aromas of nuts and white fruits with well-balanced acidity and a smooth texture.
Pronounced aromas of salinity, petrol and toasted oak rise up out of the glass. This wine offers a rich, dense texture accented by fresh apple notes and a slightly petrol finish. This is a wine of intensity and body, although it does carry a bit of alcohol heat on the finish. Pair it with mild pasta dishes, fish or cheese, though, and you won't even notice.
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Straw-yellow. Lovely fresh aromas and flavors of apple and pear, complicated by hints of white flowers and spicy honey. Finishes long and penetrating. Fresh, lovely and very Pinot Blanc-dominated in its aroma and taste profile, despite only 35% Pinot Blanc in the blend (the balance is made up by 65% Auxerrois).
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A bone-dry white with floral and light-apple aromas and flavors. Medium body, searing spices and a fresh finish. Made from two vineyards. Biodynamically grown grapes.
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Bright pale straw. Perfumed aromas of apple, orange peel and sweet herbs, plus a suggestion of dried fruits. Bright and broad but light on its feet; offers a classic combination of volume and spice (the Auxerrois) and appley-mineral lift (the Pinot Blanc). Lively acidity supports and extends the finishing flavors of fruit and herbs. Roughly 66 percent Auxerrois (from the Rotenberg site) and Pinot Blanc (all from the Herrenweg). Lower-than-usual yields in 2015 (and as at Zind-Humbrecht, they are not exactly known for producing grapes hand over fist, which means volumes were really very low) due to poor flowering because of the difficult spring weather, leading to berry shatter and millerandage. Lovely, appley Pinot Blanc.
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A generous dry pinot blanc with aromas of fully ripe pear and pineapple. Rich and creamy palate, with elegant acidity and melted-butter character at the long, soft finish. From the alluvial Herrenweg site of Turckheim and from vineyards with limestone soils in Wintzenheim. From biodynamically grown grapes.
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Aromatic, with notes of graphite, mineral and spice, this bright, well-cut white marries vibrant acidity to focused flavors of peach skin, passion fruit and candied pink grapefruit zest. Features a lip-smacking, spiced finish.
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Rich hints of spun honey and lemon curd accent the flavors of ripe peach, stone and spice in this well-knit, refreshing and light-bodied white.
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