Domaine Zind Humbrecht - Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl VT 2005

Domaine Zind Humbrecht - Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl VT 2005 (91 TSW)

Today another wine from the famous Alsace winery. Since 1999 the domain obtained the first ecocert (biodynamic viticulture) certification for its entire production.

The Clos Windsbuhl is located on a small 16 acres hill above the village of Hunawihr. It enjoys a less precocious climate which is reinforced by the poor calcareous soil. The Clos Windsbuhl produces delicate wines with great acidity balance, even if they can reach sometimes very high level of ripeness due to noble rot. 2005 is a wonderful vintage for Windsbuhl. The grapes reached perfect ripeness and acidity balance, and just before harvest, the noble rot transformed the grapes into small rich sweet little berries. The Pinot-Gris produced a selection de Grains Noble and a Vendange Tardive in 2005. The textbook and easy fermentation lead to a classic 13%+6%pot balance.

Bottling date: 9/2006; Alcohol: 13.3° alc; Residual sweetness: 91 g/l; Yields: 32.5 hl/ha; Optimum drinking period: 2010-2030+; Average age of the vines: 28 years; Surface: 1 ha; Terroir: Muschelkalk calcareous, south to southeast facing. Medium slope.

My tasting notes:

In the glass deep dark amber color with copper reflections.
On the medium(+) nose aromas of ripe mature apple, peach confiture and honey with hints of dried apricots, figs, black tea, spices and caramel.
On the palate medium dry / sweet with a great interplay between the acidity and the sweetness that are still present. A wine with a great length and balance.

With what kind of food would you pair this one?