TN: Domaine Zind Humbrecht -King of Gewurztraminer!

[JamieBahrain]

Wine is a discovery and every once in a while you experience a wine that completes all expectations. A few have done this for me over the years, mostly reds ( HofG from a grand vintage was one ), and now I have found similar in a white from Alsace.

Domaine Zind Humbrecht is situated in the small village of Turkheim at the mouth of the Munster Valley. It is walking distance from the wonderful Alsace town of Colmar, famous for it's Venice like canals lined with restaurants.

Spent four days in Colmar. Wine lovers heaven aswell the gastronomic delights-Munster cheese and bacon, bacon & more bacon. The latter of special significance for somebody stuck in the MidEast. As a history buff the significance of the surrounds (le Linge for WW1 buffs) made for morning touring and afternooons of tastings.

Purchased the following two bottles for nightly consumption. 20 euros a bottle which is extreme value considering quality and the status of the wine- we pay this for our average Gewurzt at home. A WET factor.

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 2001 Gewurztraminer Herrenweg De Turkheim-

A single vineyard site from around the estate. Alluvial soils and old vines.

The bottle itself is Nobility. Tall, long necked but with panache and grace.

The colour is that incredibly rich, pale gold of grand gewurtz. A swirl in the glass gives the impression of high viscosity but a delicacy too.

The perfume is a combination of the following-lychee(not syrupy lychee as in the cheap village wine), pear, rose water and tropical notes. The wine is so inviting on the nose I doubt I will ever forget.

The palate is fat and flavoursome, but with delicacy and power. The lychee flavours couple with white fruits which persist on the backpalate with acidity to provide a harmonious balance.

14.5% alchohol and not a hint of heat. It intwines with the acidity to carry the palate long after it is swallowed.

2001 Herrenweg de Turkheim Riesling-

Floral nose with discernible varietal characters. Not unlike the gewurtz are the floral aromas. Citrus dominated palate with a big structure and finish. The wine built up muscle in the glass whilst keeping it's clearly defined structure. Incredibly drinkable now but an aging prospect no doubt.

People go to the beach to holiday. A few days in Alsace is testament to my preference for a great wine region, with the accompanying food delights. Laying on the hotel bed with a belly full of food and great wine far more enjoyable than laying on a hot beach somewhere.

[David Lole]

Glad to hear you're enjoying yourself, mate. Hope you get the chance to visit Trimbach and a few other notables of this fantastic wine region.

[Michael]

Jamie,
did you find them a bit sweet?

Also, what did you think of the Rangen's?

[Rob]

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht 2001 Gewurztraminer Herrenweg De Turkheim-

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This wine was in the Wine Spectator's 2003 top 100. It is listed as number 93

[JamieBahrain]

Michael

Sorry for the slow reponse. Regarding any residual sweetness I found none in either the riesling or gewurz'.

The riesling was not bone dry nor with the severing acidity of some Australian examples, but more a graceful link from the palate to the acid on the finish by way of a mild citrus tang.

The gewurz was a little more magical. The heat from the 14.5 % was not evident. Intwined with acid and coupled with the follow on from a rich palate, the result was extraordinary length and flavour persistance. No residual sweetness.

The gewurz had palate richness which i did not find cloying or sweet either.

The above were both full bottles i shared with my wife.

Rangen and friends was a sensory overload for me I'm afraid. I didn't spit or critique, just beyond my will power and ability respectively.

A bit like my experience when tasting Guigal's key position Cote Roties. The 2000 Ampuis, La Mouline, La Turque and La Landonne.

Rob

Thanks for the Wine Spec reference. I am not surprised. I felt the wine stood out from it's peers and Grand Cru siblings.

[Rob]

only wish I can taste them........

[Adam]

Jamie,

Agree 100% my recent experience with a 94' ZH Heimbourg Gewurz Vt blew me away.

Mine was sweet but it was a Vendage Tardives so it should have been, but certainly not cloying or overly sweet...a dream match with foie gras.

Pity its so hard to track down.

Cheers, Adam

[JamieBahrain]

Adam

Happily I have sourced the Zind Humbrecht's in Hong Kong. Cheaper than in Australia too. Go figure?

I didn't find the VT but I would probably baulk at the price- I think I baulked at the price in Alsace! Then again, you only live once.

Agree with your comments re richness/sweetness/cloying. Couple of weeks in the Middle Mosel and Alsace and I was constantly amazed how wines of such richness and generosity, could be in some way be magically balanced.

[GraemeG]

Laying on the hotel bed with a belly full of food and great wine far more enjoyable than laying on a hot beach somewhere.

Maybe this is half the reason for the success of Margaret River as a tourist destination. One of the few wine regions in the world where you can do both...!

cheers,
Graeme