1999 Riesling Clos St Hune
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Tasting notes
Not from the greatest vintage, the 1999 Riesling Clos Ste Hune exhibits a golden color and opens with an elegant and fruity nose with ripe peach and mango along with vanilla and tannic aromas. Very elegant and filigreed on the palate, this is a well concentrated and tight but also juicy and finely tannic wine with a long, intense and aromatic yet always firmly structured finish. 13% stated alcohol and 2.3 grams per liter of residual sugar. Tasted on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Clos Ste Hune at the beginning of November at the Domaine Trimbach in Ribeauvillé.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
‘Winter and spring were fairly wet.’ Budburst (mid April) and flowering (mid June) ‘went well … The vineyard benefited from 3 weeks of fine weather and warm temperatures just before the start of the harvest.’ Harvested in October at a potential alcohol of 13%. Not the greatest vintage but the Trimbachs wanted to focus on the nines in this masterclass. RS 2.3 g/l, TA 7.6 g/l. Deep, glowing orange. Fully evolved nose and drying out a bit. The Riesling fruit is recognisable but fading. (JR)
A very elegant, maturing, medium-bodied dry riesling with caramelized peach and apricot aromas, as well as touches of almond and toasted white bread. On the mid-palate this is quite muscular, but then comes the energy and fine, chalky minerality at the finish. Just 13% alcohol. Drink or hold.
Trimbach’s Riesling Clos Ste. Hune is one of my absolute favorite wines. The 1999 is an intriguing Riesling as it offers a compelling mix of dried fruits, sage, mint, tobacco, cedar and crushed flowers, with just enough acidity to keep things in balance. Fully mature or close to it, the 1999 is not going to improve, and it is frankly not an epic Clos Ste. Hune, and yet there is so much to admire in its complexity and overall character. I enjoyed it quite a bit.