Gewürztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru 2019 1500ml Magnum

Wine description for Gewürztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru 2019 1500ml Magnum by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

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 degrees, 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.