Zind-Humbrecht | Alsace | Riesling Brand Grand Cru, Sélection de Grains Nobles | 2006 | 375ml

Description

Product description for Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Brand Grand Cru, Sélection de Grains Nobles 2006

Christina Hilker: The 2006 Riesling Sélection de Grains Nobles Brand beguiles the nose with dried apricots, dates, orange zest, and candied ginger. The aroma of sweet blossoms, pale French nougat, and freshly baked brioche hovers over everything. Despite the sweet impression on the nose, this Beerenauslese is fresh and stimulating. On the palate, the 2006 Riesling Sélection de Grains Nobles Brand presents itself with an incredibly concentrated sweetness and density. The very stimulating, fresh, and multifaceted acidity and structure come to the fore again here. A first-class elixir that is only just beginning to mature, so ideally it should be allowed a few more years in the cellar. This is only the third Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese that the Zind Humbrecht winery has produced. The first was the 1989 Riesling Clos Windsbuhl, the second the 1998 Riesling Rangen, and now the 2006 Brand continues the series. Producing a Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese is not Olivier Humbrecht’s primary goal, as he always strives to achieve the fullest ripeness of his dry wines. If the best grapes affected by noble rot are used only for the Trockenbeerenauslese, the classic dry wines could suffer. In 2006, however, this was not an issue, as the noble rot infestation was so high that the question never even arose. The noble rot development on the old vines was spectacular, and only a small Auslese was needed to achieve enough richness to produce this wine. With 165° Oechsle and 23° alcoholic potential, it is the fullest of these three Trockenbeerenausleses and also the one with the highest acidity.

Colour

Sparkling golden yellow with intense amber reflections.

Nose

The nose of the 2006 Riesling Sélection de Grains Nobles Brand enchants with dried apricots, dates, orange zest, and candied ginger. A scent of sweet blossoms, light French nougat, and freshly baked brioche hovers over everything. Despite the sweet impression on the nose, this Beerenauslese is fresh and stimulating.

Palate

On the palate, the 2006 Riesling Sélection de Grains Nobles Brand presents itself with an incredibly concentrated sweetness and density. The very stimulating, fresh, and multifaceted acidity and structure come to the fore again. A first-class elixir that is only just beginning to mature, so ideally it should be allowed a few more years in the cellar.

Brand Grand Cru

According to legend, the sun fought a dragon in the Brand vineyard, defeated it, and then banished it to a dark cave beneath the vineyard, which in turn is said to explain the characteristic warmth of the soil in this area. In fact, the vineyard owes its name to a fire that destroyed the upper part. Brand is one of the most famous vineyards of the Middle Ages. Its soil consists of black granite sand and silty, coarser sand, which allows for very deep rooting. Erosion and rainwater wash in small amounts of clay, which are deposited beneath the sandy layer. Here, the old, deep-rooted vines find the moisture they need to avoid suffering from Alsace’s driest microclimate. The vineyard is steep and faces south-southeast. It is protected from northerly winds and receives an exceptionally high number of hours of sunshine per year. Riesling is the only grape grown in the Brand. The wine develops floral and fruity aromas without ever becoming heavy and continually surprises with its early ripeness and its aging potential.

Copyright Vinaturel 2025

Keywords: Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Brand Grand Cru, Sélection de Grains Nobles 2006 Alsace France

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