Bottler: Domaine Zind Humbrecht, 4 Route de Colmar, 68230 Turckheim / France
In the glass
Colour
Old gold with warm amber reflexes – a sign of matured grandeur.
Nose
Popcorn, candied apricots, dates and citron peel, refined by light tobacco, leather, mace, pimento, baked celery, Montélimar nougat and wet chalk.
Palate
Viscous and spicy on the attack, with subtle residual sweetness that elegantly balances spice and maturation notes; the fruit remains modest, noble woods and spices dominate the palate persistently.
Character
Masculine, multifaceted and complex – a Pinot Gris of extraordinary intensity and maturity that leaves the boundaries of the variety far behind.
Pairing
Smoked stockfish with dried apricots and sage, braised pork belly with black cardamom and plums, or braised chicory with caramelised nuts.
Notes
From the prestigious Grand Cru vineyard site Rangen de Thann – the southernmost and warmest Grand Cru of Alsace with volcanic slate soil – vinified by Zind-Humbrecht, one of France's most renowned biodynamic estates.
Tasting note
Colour & Appearance
Old gold with deep amber-coloured reflections – the colour alone tells of maturity, concentration and a wine that knows no haste.
Nose
Baroque, multifaceted, positively opulent: popcorn, candied apricots, dates and citron open a bouquet of impressive depth. Beneath shimmer spicy undertones – light tobacco, leather, mace and allspice – as well as a seductive hint of baked celeriac and Montélimar nougat. Wet slate grounds the whole with mineral precision. Pinot Gris in its absolute perfection.
Palate
The entry is viscous and spicy, maturity announces itself before the fruit. On the palate the wine proves surprisingly restrained – no fruit bomb, but a masculine, spice-driven character, elegantly balanced by subtle residual sweetness. Candied notes serve as a subtle counterweight, not an end in themselves. Powerful, complex, irresistible.
Finish
Long, warm and spicy – the finish resonates like a deep gong. The sweetness fades, leaving behind an impression of noble spices and mineral austerity. Simply: unforgettable.
Terroir & Origin
The Rangen de Thann is the southernmost and warmest Grand Cru of Alsace – a steep volcanic rock terroir of dark slate and sandstone that produces wines of extraordinary depth and spice. The Clos Saint-Urbain is the exclusive heart of this vineyard site, in the hands of Zind-Humbrecht for decades.
Grape Variety & Vinification
Pinot Gris achieves an intensity at Rangen that is scarcely conceivable elsewhere. With 14% alcohol and carefully measured residual sweetness, this 2001 demonstrates how closely power and elegance can lie together. Olivier Humbrecht vinifies consistently with terroir orientation, without compromise.
Food Pairing Suggestions
A wine for the grand table: smoked stockfish, braised with dried apricots, bacon and sage meets the wine on equal terms. Equally convincing: pork belly braised with black cardamom, milk and dried plums. For those who prefer plant-based: braised chicory with caramelised nuts mirrors the spicy-nutty depth of the wine in an elegant manner.
Special Characteristics
One of the iconic white wines of France – and proof that Pinot Gris is far more than a pleasant table companion. This wine is an argument. The 2001 vintage at the height of its development – whoever still possesses a bottle should open it with care and without haste.
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