Pinot Gris Heimbourg 2021

Wine Description for Pinot Gris Heimbourg 2021 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Colour & Appearance

Radiant golden yellow in the glass – a visual promise of the concentration and maturity that this Heimbourg embodies.

Nose

Initially restrained, then – after sufficient aeration – an aristocratic bouquet unfolds: young pear, peach and grapefruit form the fruity foundation. Beneath these reveal themselves the mineral signatures of the terroir: flint, smoky notes and a hint of light tobacco. This complexity is typical of the Oligocene limestone soils of Heimbourg.

Palate

Refreshing and precise on the attack. The invigorating acidity carries the delicate fruit with playful lightness – here Pinot Gris shows itself as it should be: dry, elegant, stimulating. The magnificent tension between fruit, minerality and freshness makes this wine a seductive food companion with extraordinary drinkability. Despite the small harvest in 2021, the wine displays remarkable depth.

Finish

Persistent, with a mineral echo and subtle salinity, shaped by the iron-rich limestone of Heimbourg. The freshness remains intact through to the end.

Terroir & Origin

The Heimbourg in Turckheim is a steep, west-facing slope with Oligocene limestone – a complex mixture of oolitic flint stones in iron-rich, reddish limestone. The westerly aspect grants the vineyard evening sunshine, producing more aromatic wines than, for instance, the opposite-facing Rotenberg. The valley location provides cooling breezes.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pinot Gris from the upper part of Heimbourg. 2021 brought small but healthy yields, which enabled a very dry fermentation. The wine benefits from aeration and should not be served too cold in large Burgundy glasses.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Grapefruit and avocado salad with coriander, peas, carrots and asparagus with crayfish in puff pastry, calf’s sweetbread with preserved lemon, turnips and nigella seeds. The acidity structure also makes it an ideal companion for fish and shellfish.

Special Features

A prime example of how Pinot Gris benefits from strong terroir influence. Despite its accessibility, the 2021 possesses fantastic ageing potential – patience will be rewarded.