Auxerrois Rotenberg 2022

Wine description for Auxerrois Rotenberg 2022 by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Colour & appearance

Radiant, clear golden yellow, reflecting in the glass the precision of its origin.

Nose

Invitingly bright and fruity: quince, pear and fresh grapes mingle with lemon, joined by salted butter, dry biscuits and almonds. Fine hints of grapefruit and lemon zest lend a playful character, underpinned by a chalky imprint that lends depth.

Palate

Cool and with a refreshing vitality on entry: a saline thread, refined acidity and a delicate tannic finish make it wonderfully food-friendly. Elegance rather than power, a wine born of barren stone, presenting itself with both texture and structure.

Finish

A saline streak that whets the appetite: fine tannins, quince and a glimmer of grapefruit on the close, lingering long in harmonious ripeness.

Terroir & origin

From the Rotenberg, a west-facing slope adjacent to the Hengst Grand Cru vineyard site. A barren, rocky red limestone soil overlooking a forest – allowing quiet ripening on stony terrain, which encourages the grapes to mature slowly and with concentration.

Grape variety & vinification

Pure Auxerrois, vinified separately in 2022 rather than blended as is traditional; slow fermentation, ultimately aged to a dry style, 13.5% abv.

Food recommendations

Ideally paired with asparagus with grapefruit butter sauce, new potatoes and basil; equally suited to vegan variations, miso cauliflower or trout dishes with apple and celeriac.

Special features

In recent years this Auxerrois has been vinified on its own – a tribute to the tranquil western slope of its hill. Here, balance emerges from chalky serenity and a taut texture.