2008 Pinot Gris, Vendanges Tardives, Trimbach, Alsace

2008 Pinot Gris, Vendanges Tardives, Trimbach, Alsace

Product: 20088108065
 
2008 Pinot Gris, Vendanges Tardives, Trimbach, Alsace

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Description

At first it is surprising that this wine already at eight years old is only a pale gold colour and not more developed. The nose and palate belie its years too; they display all the freshness of meadow in summer, multiple layers of florals, near Sauvignon Blanc grassiness. This is all alongside fresh Lemon Meringue Pie – creaminess and sweet pasty with the zest and punch of lemon though into the finish. This doesn’t need a dessert to prosper or win friends at the dinner table, serve in large glasses on its own. Drink 2016+
Gary Owen, Private Account Manager

The Trimbach family is one of France’s greatest winemaking dynasties, having made wine in Alsace for over three centuries (since 1626) based in the picturesque town of Ribeauvillé.

If Zind Humbrecht produces wines of extravagant power at one end of the spectrum of excellence within Alsace wine making, then Trimbach definitely stands at the other extreme – “Restraint” is the watchword.  The Trimbach style is paraphrased perfectly by Hubert Trimbach and the family itself – “Concentrated not heavy; fruity, not sweet; bracing rather than fat; polite rather than voluptuous. Trimbach wines are reserved, steely, elegant, even aristocratic; never obvious or flashy.  We are Protestants.  Our wines have the Protestant style – vigour, firmness, a beautiful acidity, lovely freshness. Purity and cleanness, that’s Trimbach.” For those weary of the copious residual sugar found in so many of the contemporary Alsace wines, Trimbach’s are a refuge.

As the family moves into its 13th generation, with Pierre’s daughter Anne now working in the business (& Jean’s son Julian studying vine science at Dijon), Maison Trimbach remains a byword for fine dry Alsace Riesling. 

Famously controversial for opting out of the Grand Cru classification back in 1975 on account of the overly generous yields & low sugar levels (low quality) required, in the past five years the negociant has added 15 hectares of prime Grand Cru sites, notably in Osterberg, Geisberg, & Schlossberg, bringing their total to 45ha.  So the family are clearly not closing the door on the possibility of releasing single Grand Cru vineyard wines, albeit in tiny quantities. However they lament the fact that France’s supermarkets continue to buy up 75% of the region’s production, selling Grand Cru wines at around €7/bottle on the shelf.

Meanwhile their brands of (Riesling) Cuvee Frederic Emile, (Pinot Gris) Reserve Personnelle & (Gewurztraminer) Cuvee des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre remain central  to the range, made from both own fruit & bought in fruit; they remain a clear step up in terroir finesse from the fruitier ‘Reserve’ lines.  Clos Ste. Hune is estate’s finest Riesling, from a 1.67ha ‘clos’ within Grand Cru Rosacker; the provenance readily communicated but still absent from the label.  So as winemaker Pierre Trimbach signs off his 34th vintage in charge, this is still very much an estate to watch.

These wines are considered the benchmark for quality, consistency and style.  
Martyn Rolph, Private Account Manager

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About this WINE

Trimbach

Trimbach

The House of Trimbach was established in 1626 and is now being run by the 12th generation of the family, Pierre and Jean. The family supervises all operations from planting and vinification to selection and bottling, giving them 100% control over production.

If Zind Humbrecht produces wines of extravagant power at one end of the spectrum of excellence within Alsace wine making, then Trimbach definitely stands at the other extreme – “Restraint” is the watchword. The Trimbach style is paraphrased perfectly by Hubert Trimbach and the family itself – “Concentrated not heavy; fruity, not sweet; bracing rather than fat; polite rather than voluptuous".

Trimbach wines are reserved, steely, elegant, even aristocratic; never obvious or flashy. "We are Protestants. Our wines have the Protestant style – vigour, firmness, a beautiful acidity, lovely freshness. Purity and cleanness, that’s Trimbach.” For those weary of the copious residual sugar found in so many of the contemporary Alsace wines, Trimbach’s are a refuge.

The jewel in the crown is the family's Clos Ste-Hune vineyard, a small vineyard just outside Hunawihr. Family-owned for over 200 years, it is widely regarded as one of the best expressions of Alsace Riesling.Trimbach has launched their first-ever terroir named wine with the 2009 Riesling Grand Cru Geisberg, 2.6 ha plot on the Geisberg have always been part of the famous Cuvée Frédéric Emile. A second Grand Cru may be in the pipeline as, in 2012 the Trimbach family purchased a plot in the Kientzheim Grand Cru Schlossberg.

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Pinot Gris  AOC Alsace

Pinot Gris AOC Alsace

Pinot Gris AOC Alsace is a white wine produced in the Alsace, the northeastern part of France, near the border with Germany. Pinot Gris is one of the four noble grape varieties grown in Alsace, along with Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Muscat.

Pinot Gris, also known as Pinot Grigio in Italy, is a grape variety that produces various styles, from light and crisp to rich and full-bodied. In Alsace, Pinot Gris tends to lean towards the fuller-bodied end of the spectrum. The wines are known for their aromatic complexity, with flavours that include ripe stone fruits like peach, apricot, and pear and notes of honey, spice, and sometimes a hint of smoke.

Pinot Gris AOC Alsace wines typically have a golden yellow colour and a rich, oily texture on the palate. They can be dry or off-dry, with a noticeable presence of residual sugar in some examples. The wines often have a good level of acidity, which helps balance the richness and sweetness.

Alsace is known for its unique terroir, which plays a significant role in shaping the character of Pinot Gris wines. The region's vineyards benefit from a semi-continental climate with sunny, dry days and cool nights. The Vosges Mountains protect from excessive rainfall, creating a relatively dry microclimate. The diverse soils, which include granite, limestone, marl, and sandstone, add further complexity to the wines.

Pinot Gris AOC Alsace wines are quite versatile regarding food pairings. Their fuller body and slightly off-dry character make them an excellent match for various dishes. They pair well with roasted poultry, grilled fish, seafood, creamy sauces, and spicy Asian cuisine. The wines can also be enjoyed on their own as an apéritif.

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Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio

A first class grape variety grown in Alsace, where it is known as Tokay Pinot Gris, and in Italy, where it is called Pinot Grigio. In Alsace it is best suited to the deep, clay rich soils found in the north of the region where it produces richly honeyed, dry whites as well as superb sweet late harvest wines. At its best it combines the heady perfume and rich aroma of Gewürztraminer with the acidity one associates with Riesling. It ages very well, developing rich buttery characteristics.

In Northern Italy Pinot Grigio produces many thin undistinguished dry whites. However it comes into its own in Friuli-Venezia and the Alto Adige, where leading producers such as Alvaro Pecorari of Lis Neris produce marvellously rounded, elegant, and mineral laden examples. Pinot Gris is now grown with notable success in Oregon in the USA and in New Zealand.

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