Domaine Zind-Humbrecht - Riesling Thann 2009

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht - Riesling Thann 2009 (90 TSW)

Zind-Humbrecht has been the absolute top producer of Alsace wines for many years. The domain was founded in 1959 through a merger of the wine-growing families Humbrecht (from Gueberschwihr) and Zind (from Wintzenheim). The domain is now located in the heart of the Herrenweg vineyard in the picturesque town of Turckheim. The Humbrecht family has been known as an Alsace winegrower since 1620. Leonard Humbrecht has now largely handed over the direction to his son Olivier, a wine man through and through and still one of the few Frenchmen with the coveted letters MW of Master of Wine after his name! Over the years, the domain has expanded further and the quality level has gradually been raised to the highest conceivable.

In 1999 the domain obtained the first ecocert (biodynamic viticulture) certification for its entire production. At Zind-Humbrecht there is never chaptalization, no clarification and no filtering. After years of searching and experimenting, Zind-Humbrecht has succeeded in bringing soil, climate and grape varieties into optimal harmony.

About the wine:

All their vineyards in the village of Thann are located in the Rangen! However, this poor steep volcanic hillside gives a hard time to the young vines. These vines, used for this wine, were planted between 1978 and 1986, after father Leonard purchased this Clos. Depending on the vintage characteristics, they can either declassify completely or keep them aside in a village Thann bottling, if they have enough to make a full cask, as it was the case in 2009.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a lively golden yellow color.
On the medium(+) nose aromas of apricot, yellow apple and melon with hints of wet stone, honey, chalk, light petrol and spices.
On the palate dry (good interplay between light sweetness and acidity) and a silky texture with great concentration and a nice citrus freshness. Refined, harmonious and complex with a great long (light spicy) finish.