Gewürztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru 2019 1500ml Magnum
The Gewürztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru 2019 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht reveals the rare combination of extreme steep slopes, volcanic minerality and cool freshness in Alsace. This off-dry wine unites the intensity of the variety with impressive elegance.
Bottler: Domaine Zind Humbrecht, 4 Route de Colmar, 68230 Turckheim / France
In the glass
Colour
Radiant, deep golden yellow, bearing witness to youthful freshness and depth.
Nose
Orange flesh, ripe peach and juicy pear meet tart grapefruit and fragrant white blossoms. Fine notes of milk chocolate, struck match and lemon-like ginger freshness combine with a hint of fine pepper.
Palate
Vibrant acidity and a silky tannin structure merge into a multi-layered texture. Juicy orange fruit and compact minerality make it assured, powerful and cool all at once.
Character
Power and lightness in perfect balance – a wine of great vitality and unexpected finesse that rightfully bears the name Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru.
Pairing
Beef fillet with caramelised salsify, caramelised chicory with grapefruit and pine nuts, or a pineapple tartlet with Gewürztraminer foam and basil ice cream.
Notes
As the rarest Gewürztraminer site on the Clos-Saint-Urbain, its small surface area and high-altitude vineyards make it a true insider tip. The 2019 vintage shows particularly fresh and lively, with a vitality that makes for an unforgettable tasting experience. Decanting one to two days before serving reveals its full stature.
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
Radiant, deep gold – even in the glass, the concentration of this exceptional wine is already apparent.
Nose
An explosion of aromas: orange flesh and grapefruit dance with peach and pear, accompanied by fragrant blossoms, delicate tobacco and a fascinating hint of struck match. Citrusy ginger and fine peppery spice complete the bouquet.
Palate
What interplay! Vibrant acidity meets compact, multi-layered minerality. Juicy orange fruit combines with a fine tannic structure – the wine practically floats. Despite its intense aromatic profile, it displays a silky texture that is truly second to none.
Finish
Long and precise, with persistent freshness and that salty-mineral trace that only the Rangen de Thann can impart.
Terroir & origin
The Grand Cru Rangen de Thann, with gradients of up to 68 per cent, stands as the steepest vineyard site in Alsace. On volcanic rock, at an altitude of over 350 metres, wines of unique intensity are born. The River Thur tempers the cool mountain climate – a microclimate that makes Gewürztraminer possible here in the first place.
Grape variety & vinification
Gewürztraminer is the rarity within Clos-Saint-Urbain: just 0.5 hectares, yielding around 1,500 bottles per year. Olivier Humbrecht, the first French Master of Wine, cultivates the vines biodynamically (Demeter-certified since 2002). The extended cellar ageing – at least six months on the lees – imparts its characteristic texture.
Food pairings
Caramelised chicory with grapefruit and pine nuts mirrors the bittersweet complexity. Fillet of beef with caramelised salsify perfectly complements the wine’s spiciness. For a crowning finale: Pineapple tartlet with Gewürztraminer foam.
Special features
The magnum bottle (1.5 l) promises an even slower, more complex evolution. Decanting for one to two days is well worth the effort – this wine needs to breathe before it reveals its full panorama.
