2006 Pinot Gris, Clos Windsbuhl, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Alsace

2006 Pinot Gris, Clos Windsbuhl, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Alsace

Product: 20068115391
 
2006 Pinot Gris, Clos Windsbuhl, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Alsace

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Description

As with other wines originating from the single Clos Windsbuhl vineyard (one that famously missed out on 'Grand Cru' status due to not being submitted!), one's struck by the cool minerally energy, a wine that speaks more of the soil than the fruit per se. The 10 month long ferment tailed off leaving an off-dry style with 49 grams of residual, yet the palate is fantastically focused, charged with bristling electricity, leaving an oh! so cleansing pear purity. Needs time, till 2014 to see its best. Great with creamy veal or white meat platters.
(David Berry Green )

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Critics reviews

Wine Advocate91/100
Diminished in volume and in that sense representing a selection, Zind-Humbrechts 2006 Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl constitutes that share of their holdings in this cru that was not blended into one of the vintages two generic bottlings. Honey-and caramel-drizzled, brown-spiced poached pit fruit, along with banana cream, hazelnut puree, cocoa powder, and candied chestnuts inform an expansive and creamy palate. The fungal notes from botrytis common to so many wines of this vintage, especially to Pinot Gris, have here morphed into an alluring whiff of white truffle. This finishes with its considerable sweetness well matched to the confectionary and low-toned richness of flavor. Certainly this would make an amazing foie gras wine although the same could of course be said about scores of the best Alsace Pinot Gris, and how often do any of us partake of that divisive indulgence? Here is a dramatic instance of stylistic divergence, since the wine of the same name in 2007 is dry.
David Schildknecht - 27/04/2010 Read more

About this WINE

Domaine Zind Humbrecht

Domaine Zind Humbrecht

The wines of Olivier Humbrecht M.W. need little introduction, possessing great depth, exactitude as well as generosity…like the man himself.

The Humbrecht family viticultural roots can be traced back to The Thirty Years War of 1620. Today they own forty hectares across five villages in the Haut-Rhin, the southern half of the picturesque vineyards overlapping the Vosges foothills, treasured for its idyllic climate, tapestry of terroirs as much for its half-timbered houses.

The domaine has vines in 4 Grands Crus - Rangen (Thann) 5.5 ha, Brand (Turckheim) 2.4 ha, Hengst (Wintzenheim) 1.4 ha, Goldert (Gueberschwihr) 0.9 ha as well as Single Vineyards; Rotenberg (Wintzenheim) 1.8 ha, Clos Häuserer (Wintzenheim) 1.2 ha,  Herrenweg (Turkheim) 11.5 ha, Clos Jebsal (Turkheim) 1.3 ha,  Heimbourg (Turkheim) 4 ha and Clos Windsbuhl (Hunawihr) 5.2 ha.

Olivier has arguably overseen the most notable improvements in the estate’s illustrious history: a new cellar in 1992 while retaining the traditional ‘foudre’ oval barrels; initiating biodynamic practices in 1997 (certified in 2002); and the buying of a horse in 2006 to plough the vineyards!

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AOC Alsace

AOC Alsace

In Alsace, the wines generally take their name from the grape variety from which they are made, and not from their terroir.

AOC Alsace wines must be made from one of the eight permitted grape varieties in the appellation, namely Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Chasselas and Sylvaner. The wine label may also display the terms ‘Edelzwicker’ or ‘Gentil’ (for a blend of several white wine varietals), or a geographical indication such as the name of the village or vineyard.

In exceptional years, AOC Alsace (as well as AOC Alsace Grand Cru) wines may be promoted to one of two specific classifications: Vendanges Tardives or Sélection de Grains Nobles which apply to rare, naturally rich and sweet late-harvest wines.

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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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