An off-dry Pinot Gris from Alsace that elegantly and minerally expresses the limestone-driven vineyards of this biodynamic family estate. A refined, complex white wine with ageing potential, crafted by Olivier Humbrecht.
Bottler: Domaine Zind Humbrecht, 4 Route de Colmar, 68230 Turckheim / France
In the glass
Colour
Radiant golden yellow with delicate green reflections.
Nose
Fine and fragrant with peach, nectarine and quince; accompanied by floral notes, a hint of aniseed and ginger, as well as a subtle chalky minerality reminiscent of seashells.
Palate
Elegant and creamy on the palate, with a saline note, vibrant acidity and a finish enlivened by flashes of citrus and fresh ginger.
Character
Delicate, precise and remarkably fresh – an off-dry Pinot Gris with substance and excellent cellaring potential, calling for a carafe and generous glasses.
Pairing
Scallops with honey and grapefruit marinade, corn-fed chicken breast with pak choi, or pumpkin gnocchi with thyme.
Notes
A cuvée from the limestone sites Clos Jebsal, Clos Windsbuhl and Heimbourg, vinified separately and aged for an additional six months on full lees for greater depth and complexity – a Demeter-certified estate with over 400 years of winemaking tradition.
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
Radiant golden yellow with delicate green reflections – a wine that promises freshness from the very first pour.
Nose
Fine and aromatic, distinctly marked by limestone notes. It positively demands a carafe: then peach, nectarine and quince open up, accompanied by fragrant blossoms and a hint of aniseed and ginger. A fine minerality runs through the bouquet, with an aroma reminiscent of oyster shells.
Palate
Elegant and creamy, it glides across the tongue. A fine saline streak meets a lively, precise acidity that is seamlessly woven into the fruity tapestry. The subtle residual sweetness is effortlessly carried by this tension – delicate, never heavy.
Finish
The aftertaste reveals flashes of citrus and fresh ginger – long, juicy, with a saline pull on the finish.
Terroir & origin
All of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht’s Pinot Gris vineyards on limestone geology – Clos Windsbuhl, Clos Jebsal, Heimbourg and Rotenberg – actually hold single-vineyard status. In 2019, parcels from Jebsal, Windsbuhl and Heimbourg went into this wine. The estate, located in the heart of Alsace, farms 42 hectares biodynamically (Demeter-certified since 2002); Olivier Humbrecht, the first French Master of Wine, has reintroduced horse-drawn ploughing on the steepest sites.
Grape variety & vinification
Pure Pinot Gris. The parcels were fermented individually and only blended afterwards for ageing to ensure a consistent style. An additional six months on the gross lees lent the wine depth and complexity. At 13.0% abv and with an off-dry profile, it remains agile.
Food pairings
Dishes with fresh, citrusy accents suit it beautifully: scallops with honey-grapefruit marinade, lemon balm and potato cream, pumpkin gnocchi with thyme or Bresse chicken breast wrapped in kumquat on pak choi.
Special features
This wine brings together what would otherwise be celebrated individually in Alsace: fruit from renowned limestone parcels whose wines did not all turn out dry in 2019 – and therein lies its charm. The blend results in a barely dry wine with great acidity, a creamy texture and very good ageing potential for the years ahead. If possible, decant and serve in large glasses – and watch with anticipation as the limestone and quince rearrange themselves with each year of bottle age.
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