2014 Gewurztraminer Calcaire
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Tasting notes
Due to drosophila suzukii that badly affected all the blue-skinned grapes and caused severe selections, the 2014 Gewurztraminer Roche Calcaire is the only Gewurz produced that year at Zind-Humbrecht. "We probably lost as much as 50% of the crop in some places, but also feared that the resulting wines would not be at the level one can expect from a Grand Cru vineyard. So, all our Windsbuhl, Hengst and Goldert vineyards were declassified into this cuvee," says Olivier Humbrecht. The resulting wine has a deep, pure, fresh and spicy nose with classic floral and fruity Gewurz and orange/mandarin aromas. Full-bodied, round and very elegant, this is a mouthful of vivacious, vibrant, well-structured yet also refined Gewurz; the salinity and purity is really stimulating and lifting the medium-dry 17.9 grams of residual sugar. The long and fresh finish reveals the firm, but fine tannin structure and really good concentration of this excellent Gewurztraminer from a very difficult vintage. Yield is 27 hectoliters per hectare. Bottled in August 2015 with 14% alcohol. Enjoy with smoked meat, fish, cheese or spicy food over the next 10+ years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
TA 4.4 g/l (sulphuric), RS 17.9 g/l, pH 3.4. Sweetness code 2 = not technically dry but the sugar is not evident on the palate and the wines taste dry after time in bottle. Even more intense than the Turckheim Gewurz, the aromas heightened by the higher residual sugar. Roses and almost a little honeyed, even though the sweetness is quite moderate – and moderated by the respectable acidity. Power and persistence remarkable for a wine that again has delicacy in its harmony and balance. GV (JH)
About the producer
Widely acknowledged as one of the legendary wineries in Alsace, the wines of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht are nothing short of magical. Certified organic and biodynamic, the estate crafts an extensive range of wines, including many Grand Cru and single-vineyard bottlings.