Pinot Gris Heimbourg Sélection de Grains Nobles 2008

Wine Description for Pinot Gris Heimbourg Sélection de Grains Nobles 2008 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Colour & Appearance

Deep amber with golden reflections – a visual promise of the opulent sweetness and maturity of this extraordinary noble sweet wine.

Nose

An aromatic storm of impressive intensity and complexity. Walnuts and roasted almonds meet exotic spice from galangal and fresh ginger. The fruit palette is opulent: bitter orange marmalade, candied orange peel, dried mango and ripe vineyard peach interweave into a crystal-clear, beautifully concentrated fragrance of noble botrytis sweetness.

Palate

Here the true greatness of this wine reveals itself: the intense sweetness is brilliantly counterbalanced by invigorating acidity and saline minerality. This balance is simply masterful. Spice, fruit and freshness dance in perfect harmony – a noble sweet wine that, despite its opulence, never feels heavy or cloying, but captivates with elegance and finesse.

Finish

Long, spicy and of crystalline clarity. The minerality of the Heimbourg limestone carries the wine across the palate for minutes.

Terroir & Origin

The Heimbourg in Turckheim is a Grand Cru of only 9 hectares, of which Zind-Humbrecht owns half. The steep upper part of the vineyard has been reduced to pure limestone through years of erosion – perfect conditions for late ripening and healthy botrytis development. The exposed, windy location allows for the patient harvest of highly ripe grapes affected by noble rot.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pinot Gris from selective hand-harvesting of botrytis-affected grapes, ten days after the main harvest. With only 9.5% alcohol, the wine remains light-footed and fresh despite high residual sweetness.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Game pâté with foie gras and walnut-apricot salad, fig tart with honey and brittle ice cream or Munster cheese in puff pastry with white truffle. Also a pleasure to savour on its own as a meditation.

Special Features

A masterpiece from the house of Zind-Humbrecht with fantastic ageing potential over decades. The 2008 vintage combines sweetness, acidity and minerality in rare perfection – a noble sweet treasure for connoisseurs.