Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl 2020

Wine Description for Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl 2020 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Colour & Appearance

Intense golden yellow with remarkable depth – a visual promise of the concentration this wine unfolds on the palate.

Nose

Opulent and multi-layered: dried apricots, candied apple and lime meld with honey and malty notes. Fascinating is the maritime dimension – iodine notes, sea breeze and oyster shells lend this Alsatian wine an unexpected coastal proximity. These are joined by sesame crunch, orange and a hint of thyme.

Palate

Here the true class of Clos Windsbuhl reveals itself: full-bodied with perfect balance between fruit richness and vibrant acidity. The saline minerality is electrifying, bringing tension and drinking flow. Juicy, invigorating, with dancer-like lightness despite its substance – a paradox that only great wines master.

Finish

Endless, precise, carried by saline freshness. The wine lingers on the palate for minutes and continues to evolve – a meditative experience.

Terroir & Origin

Clos Windsbuhl lies in the elevated slopes near the Vosges and benefits from cool nights and late ripening. Climate change now enables earlier harvests (early/mid-September rather than October), resulting in dry wines with preserved acidity structure – botrytis plays barely any role.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pinot Gris is the main grape variety of the Clos. The 2020 grapes were in perfect health, fermentation proceeded extremely slowly and resulted in a completely dry wine. 17 months of ageing in old oak barrels on the full lees imparted texture and complexity. Patience is rewarded: decant at least a day beforehand, serve not too cold, use large Burgundy glasses.

Food Pairing Recommendations

The saline minerality predestines it for seafood and oysters. It also harmonises beautifully with poultry with sesame crunch and honey, pork fillet with roasted carrots and pineapple or tofu with fir honey and wild herb salad.

Special Features

A dry Pinot Gris of monumental concentration and simultaneously impressive elegance. Excellent ageing potential over many years – a wine that serves food with perfection.