2022 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer 'Roche Calcaire' Alsace

Winemaker Notes:  Gewurztraminer can be a very tannic grape variety. Having a natural lower acidity, like a red wine, it needs a certain phenolic ripeness. This is the main reason why it is often the last harvested in Alsace. The limestone geology has the advantage to be less precocious, brings structure, sometimes a little more acidity, but more importantly, cover some of the varietal exuberant aromas by bringing more complex spicy/mineral flavours. On a limestone soil, the Gewurztraminer will also ripen technically slower (sugars). So, unless harvested very late, it is also easier to manage the alcohol potential.

In the vineyards of Hengst and Windsbuhl, which are old vines, we do replace the missing vines by young vines. As the vineyards get older, the proportion of these replacements is more consequent. Before harvesting the old vines, we go through these two vineyards and select the younger vines, those planted at the beginning of the rows (more vigorous). Grapes that we prefer not to add to the ‘grand vin’ but nonetheless of good quality and origin. These grapes are usually very ripe, so the Roche Calcaire Gewurztraminer often keeps a certain amount of natural residual sweetness.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


James Suckling - "A juicy and very fresh gewurz with stacks of star fruit and licorice character. Just a touch of positive bitterness helps lift the medium-bodied palate, which is otherwise really silky. Beautiful balance in spite of the touch of unfermented grape sweetness. Mostly from young vines in the Grand Cru Hengst and the Clos Windsbuhl sites. Picked at the end of the 2022 harvest. Drink or hold."