Gewürztraminer Roche Calcaire 2020

Wine description for Gewürztraminer Roche Calcaire 2020 by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Colour & Appearance

Radiant, intense golden yellow in the glass – a promising opening for this extraordinary limestone Gewürztraminer.

Nose

Here the Gewürztraminer reveals its mineral, restrained side. Rather than lush rose petals, spicy notes of anise, cardamom and dried ginger dominate. The fruit presents itself with precision: orange zest, firm mango, yellow plums and ripe red apple. Fascinating is the smoky component, coupled with chalky minerality, lemon verbena and linden blossom – an aromatic profile that favours elegance over opulence.

Palate

Purist and clear. A fine sweetness caresses on the attack, yet vibrant acidity ensures perfect balance and drinking flow. The bright, juicy fruit proves seductively invigorating – this is no heavy, perfumed Gewürztraminer, but a wine of refreshing elegance. You drink one glass, then another: precisely the hallmark of a great, stylish wine. The cool limestone character lends this 13.5% alcohol wine a lightness rarely associated with this variety.

Finish

Persistent, mineral and suffused with spicy accents. The acidity carries far without ever becoming aggressive – a finale that invites the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

A fascinating concept: this wine unites younger vines (under 30 years old) from the renowned vineyard sites Goldert, Hengst and Clos Windsbuhl as well as a small vineyard near Gueberschwihr. The common denominator: limestone soils, which give the Gewürztraminer cooler roots and thus preserve acidity at full ripeness.

Grape Variety & Vinification

2020 was a year without noble rot – the grapes were perfectly healthy and fermented swiftly and relatively dry. The result: a Gewürztraminer that lives more from minerality and spice than from varietal opulence. Oliver Humbrecht’s philosophy in pure form.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Perfect as an aperitif with kumquats and Gewürztraminer cream on salted crackers. Excellent with veal sweetbreads with truffle, beans and apricots, or with braised rabbit in filo pastry with kimchi and honey-grapefruit vinaigrette.

Special Notes

Be sure to decant and enjoy from large glasses. A Gewürztraminer for connoisseurs who appreciate finesse over power.