Riesling Clos Windsbuhl 2018 1500ml Magnum

Wine Description for Riesling Clos Windsbuhl 2018 1500ml Magnum from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Colour & Appearance

Dense, slightly muted golden yellow – a wine that reveals its concentration and maturity at first glance.

Nose

This monumental Riesling demands patience and oxygen. Initially closed, it unfolds a fascinating complexity after generous aeration: almonds, pale nuts, wine yeast and delicate smoky notes dominate, complemented by light tobacco. With time, pomelo, pink grapefruit and red apples emerge. The overwhelming minerality and depth are reminiscent of great white Burgundy rather than classic Alsatian Riesling.

Palate

Pronounced, very dry and of crystalline precision. The demanding spice and saline minerality of the limestone terroir immediately activate the salivary glands. Nutty, yeasty and spicy notes characterise the flavour profile, whilst discreet citrus and apple skin tones play in the background. The grainy texture, imparted by the magnesium-rich soil, gives the wine a unique, almost tactile structure.

Finish

Long, taut and carried by vibrant acidity – a finale that underscores the extraordinary ageing potential of this wine.

Terroir & Origin

The Clos Windsbuhl sits on ancient sedimentary limestone from the Secondary period in an exposed elevated position at the forest edge. The late, cool microclimate and the magnesium-rich limestone soil fundamentally shape the character of this Grand-Cru-worthy vineyard site and lend the Riesling its characteristic mineral tension.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Riesling from limestone, whose fermentation naturally stopped earlier due to the pronounced acidity of the terroir. The maturation was conducted traditionally, with the soil composition imparting the wine’s typical grainy structure.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Turbot in fennel crust with Riesling shallot sauce and caviar, risotto with white truffle or young pheasant on savoy cabbage with smoked bacon – this wine demands sophisticated cuisine at the highest level.

Special Features

The magnum bottle promises even slower, more harmonious development. Absolutely decant at least 24 hours before serving and pour from large Burgundy glasses at not too cool a temperature. A wine for the patient: a few years of cellar ageing will be rewarded with an explosion of complexity.