Gewürztraminer Clos Windsbuhl Vendanges Tardives 2005

Wine Description for Gewürztraminer Clos Windsbuhl Vendanges Tardives 2005 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Colour & Appearance

Intense, sparkling golden yellow – a visual promise of the concentrated sweetness and ripeness that this exceptional late harvest wine holds.

Nose

Surprisingly fresh and multi-layered for a sweet wine of this category. The aromatics shift between the classic Gewürztraminer notes of lychee, rose petals and clove and an almost Riesling-like clarity with peach, apple and citrus fruits. Joined by vanilla, cardamom and ginger – a beguiling kaleidoscope of aromas.

Palate

Here the true greatness of this wine reveals itself: the opulent sweetness is perfectly balanced by a vibrant acidity and the characteristic minerality of the limestone soil. Complex, multifaceted and of remarkable elegance – the noble rot lends the wine depth without masking the varietal spice. A sweet wine of rare harmony and precision.

Finish

Long, playful and with a mineral freshness that invites the next sip. The sweetness fades gently, never appearing heavy or intrusive.

Terroir & Origin

The Clos Windsbuhl is one of Alsace’s showcase vineyard sites with calcareous soils that give Gewürztraminer structure and minerality. The hot October of 2005 following a brief humid September period created ideal conditions for Botrytis cinerea and optimal grape ripeness in this later-ripening site.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Gewürztraminer in its noblest form – vinified as Vendanges Tardives with 14.5% alcohol. The late harvest benefits from the influence of noble rot, which brings concentration and complexity without compromising aromatic purity.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Excellent with foie gras and other offal, with stone fruit desserts or caramelised nuts. Also an experience on its own as a meditative pleasure.

Special Features

A sweet wine that is already accessible now, but can easily age for decades. The balance between opulence and freshness makes it a prime example of Alsatian sweet wine artistry from the house of Zind-Humbrecht.