Gewürztraminer Goldert Grand Cru 2012

The Goldert is a Grand Cru site in the village of Gueberschwihr, which has been described as a leading wine village since 750. It is the only site in the whole of Alsace that is characterised only by marine limestone in the form of egg stones. The plots owned by Zind-Humbrecht are located in the middle and lower part of the slope. There, the oolite is covered with limestone pebbles and sandstone in a clayey topsoil. The Goldert lies at an altitude of 250 to 350 metres and faces east. Zind-Humbrecht's wines are all fermented spontaneously and mature in barrels of different sizes. The 2012 vintage was characterised by great fluctuations. The winter was dry and the blossom came very late. This was followed by a completely rainy summer, so that more than twice as many biodynamic preparations had to be sprayed. Autumn, however, offered perfect weather. The wines were caught up with historically low alcohol levels. This also applies to the Goldert, which has less than 12.5 % alcohol with 77 grams of sugar and a 20 % botrytis content. The acid pH ratio is 2.7 grams to 3.9 pH.

medium straw yellow

The Grand Cru Goldert is a fascinating wine from the first moment. Sweet fruits, floral notes as well as spices dance here together a round dance. The nose always remains absolutely clear and precise - even if a scent of botrytis resonates. At first, citric notes of grapefruits, cedar lemons, kumquats and bitter oranges dominate. Then one picks up rose and nutmeg scents. Ginger is found as well as curry and blond tobacco.

The palate offers an impressive interplay of complexity and freshness, despite the 77 grams of residual sugar, the botrytis and the just 2.7 grams of acidity. One hardly notices all that; because the Gewurztraminer builds up such an arc of tension, is so vibrantly alive and characterized by saltiness and spicy notes that the sweetness only plays a role in theory, so to speak. Furthermore, the melting on the palate is impressive, as well as the fine texture and the power that the wine possesses. All this is harmoniously as well as elegantly packed and makes together from the 2012 Goldert a Grand Cru that truly deserves its name. One should drink a Gewurztraminer like this more often.