Zind-Humbrecht | Alsace | Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru | 2017 | 1500ml

Description

Product description for Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru 2017

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht was founded under this name in 1959 on the occasion of the wedding of Léonard Humbrecht to Geneviève Zind, and from the merger of the two vineyards, Humbrecht in Gueberschwihr and Zind in Wintzenheim. The Humbrecht family was already producing wine during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648). Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, which comprised less than five hectares in the early 1960s, grew to 40 hectares by the mid-1990s. This includes parcels in Grand Cru vineyards such as Rangen (Thann) and Brand (Turckheim). Olivier took over the estate in 1989. The first Master of Wine in the family, he converted the estate to biodynamic farming in 1999 and is also chairman of Biodyvin. Today, all wines are produced in large barrels with long lees ageing. Botrytis is not found in the dry wines.

Wine Information

Vintage The 2017 vintage will go down in the history of this winery. For Olivier Humbrecht, it is one of the three best vintages since the winery was founded in 1959. However, this time frost and hail limited the harvest to an average of less than 20 hl/ha. After an early bud break, two cold spells with sub-zero temperatures on April 21 and 22 exposed even those more sheltered areas to frost. An unusually icy east wind froze vines in vineyards like the Herrenweg de Turckheim, which had never froze in the 60 years that Olivier’s father witnessed. A hailstorm in the Brand vineyard fortunately had no major consequences. Midsummer was hot, August milder, and the harvest began on August 29 with Pinot Gris Roche Roulée, followed by terroirs such as Rotenberg, Heimbourg, Goldert, and others. A light rain on September 2 accelerated ripening. The Rieslings were harvested from September 11, and the harvest was completed with Rangen, Hengst, and Clos Jebsal on September 26. Only Clos Jebsal showed minor signs of botrytis. Vineyard The Pinot Gris developed exceptionally well in 2017, despite flowering late. The special characteristics of the hot and early harvest in the summer were utilized, and the volcanic soil of Rangen gives the Pinot Gris a special personality. Rangen is a complex terroir, but one that particularly benefits from biodynamic farming. The steep slope and the soil, strewn with volcanic boulders and jagged stones, make manual work difficult, especially ploughing with a winch. However, the effort involved benefits the wines; over the years, the 54-year-old roots have given the grapes their individual character. Fermentation: Recent vintages of this grape variety have produced very dry wines. This was not just a stylistic choice, but also the result of the terroir’s behavior in a changing climate. The grapes stay healthy longer, physiological maturity is advanced, and therefore harvesting them before overripe is necessary. The energy is channeled into the fermentation: vigorous, rapid, and until the sugar content is exhausted. Like many other wines from the same grape variety, Rangen was aged in barrels on the full lees for over 18 months. The wine has 1.6 g/l of residual sugar, 3 g of acidity, and a pH of 3.6. The yield was 26 hl/ha.

Colour

Intense straw yellow

Nose

This Pinot Gris from Rangen suggests greatness from the very first moment. Shortly after opening, the wine smells intensely of gunpowder. After the smoke has dissipated somewhat, blossoms, bright citrus notes, and the spice of curry reveal themselves. Then the Pinot Gris becomes stonier, earthier, and one has the feeling that the wine is becoming more powerful and deeper by the minute.

Palate

The greatness of this Rangen Pinot Gris from 2017 truly reveals itself on the palate. What power is this, what cool, austere strength, and why is this wine so seductive from the very first taste? The Pinot Gris is mouth-filling, envelopingly juicy with bright and citrusy fruit. Here, too, there are smoky, flint notes that underscore the wine’s austerity. At the same time, the wine is blessed with a delicate creaminess and silky tannins. The fruit is accompanied by stony spice, salt, iodine, wax, and resin. The length is outstanding, the tension comparable to Riesling from the same vineyard, and the substance is just as good. Pinot Gris can be great, too—although admittedly, this is all too rarely the case.

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Keywords: Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru 2017 Alsace France

Wine Advocate

Score: (92-93)

Tasted from the sulfured vat in late October 2018, the pure and flinty 2017 Alsace Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Pinot Gris Clos Saint Urbain is rich, intense and dense in its texture. It is a powerful but balanced Pinot with fine tannins. Not really smooth but harmonious and elegant.
Stephan Reinhardt

Producer website: http://www.zindhumbrecht.fr/