Zind Humbrecht Herrenweg de Turckheim Riesling 2001

[Wizz]

I dont think the owner of this bottle is going to post, so I will as I loved it..

Picking up some colour.
A ripe, passionfruity nose which may have a touch of botrytis about it. The palate is viscous, but there is some sharp fruit peeking thorugh. passionfruit, lime, and a faint bit of spritz. Theres something light and pavlova like about this, despite the wine being quite viscous. There's a little bit of Res. Sugar. which is hiding the acid, but I reckn there's plenty under there. The palate goes on for ages, a glorious mouthful - but it would want to be for $70 or so!

Not an australian style by any means, and my tiny tour of Germany/Alsace tells me there's a fine line in this style of wine - you can produce a thing of wordless beauty, but its a razors edge from a sweet, fruity mess. (drum roll and bring on the Humbrechistes to shoot me down....)

This wine is a success, loved it. Outstanding.

cheers

Andrew

[Rob]

hi Andrew,

Would love to get some of these wines to try. Do you know where I can get them in Sydney or Australia and the price I am expected to pay?

Thanks
Cheers
Rob

[Wizz]

Hi Rob,

I'm in Brisbane, and this was bought to a tasting by a local bottle shop proprietor. I'd suspect there are some specialists in Sydney who would stock wines like this, Ultimo, etc. In Brisbane, Cru, The Grape and Bests all have ranges of German and Alsatian gear.

Can any of the Sydneysiders help?

cheers

AB

[Rob]

I refuse to buy wine from Ultimo. Their service is bloody aweful and the mark up for the wine .......don't get me started

[Wizz]

OK: Perhaps try Porters Roseville? there must be others. I'm told the Herrenweg is in the $70 to $80 range.

Also tried the Albert Mann Schlossberg recently, $40 to $50, its pretty good too.

In Germany, I'm told the 02 Dr Loosens are worth a look, various proces for the different Cru's,

Ab

[Guest]

I refuse to buy wine from Ultimo. Their service is bloody aweful and the mark up for the wine .......don't get me started

The 2000 Brands is $150 at ultimo. You need to haggle.....

[Ginger]

Try Five Way Cellars - Ian is excellent and stocks lots of non Aussie wines.

[Rob]

Thanks guys, I will look into it

Cheers
Rob

[Phil Shorten]

G'day

I tasted a few of ZH wines yesterday, including the 2001 Zind (multi-varietal blend including Chardonnay), 1995 Riesling Clos Hauserer and 2000 Gewurtztraminer.

One thing all these wines have in common is their richness.

I thought the Zind was quite good, though the alcohol shows just a touch.

The 1995 Riesling showed some developed Riesling characters and some complexity on the palate (grapefruit, lemon, kaffir lime leaf, honey) but again showed its 13.6% alcohol on the finish.

The Gewurtztraminer weighed in at a massive 15% alcohol and is just balanced. However, it is totally lacking in subtlety. This is a Pamela Anderson wine that is all style and no substance; one that you would either love or hate.

I can acknowledge the effort that has gone into making a wine like this and undoubtedly some people would love it, but I can't see the attraction, particularly given the pricepoint.

Cheers
Phil

[JamieBahrain]

Phil

Concur totally reference the heat in the Gwtz.

I recall when in Alsace, the wine warming whilst lounging in front of the fire, accentuating the alchohol. Placed the bottle on window ledge and let the French winter do the rest.

The Zinds where under thirty Australian dollars a bottle from a deligtful purveyor of wine in Colmar.

Cellar door visit is essential.

As with Doc Loosen, booking essential and a relatively formal affair.