Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru 2020
The Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru 2020 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, an off-dry Pinot Gris from Alsace, showcases the immense energy and complex mineral character of a legendary volcanic terroir.
Bottler: Domaine Zind Humbrecht, 4 Route de Colmar, 68230 Turckheim / France
In the glass
Colour
Medium golden yellow with copper highlights.
Nose
Exceptionally intense and complex, offering notes of bitter orange, dried apricot, candied ginger and peach, underpinned by subtle cardamom, cinnamon and smoky, flinty nuances.
Palate
Powerful and succulent with impressions of overripe pineapple, delicate fruit sweetness, striking acidity and fine tannins, culminating in a salty, crystalline structure and an almost endless finish.
Character
A monumental, energetic and deeply profound Alsace classic with immense ageing potential, which benefits from generous Burgundy glasses and decanting.
Pairing
Pairs magnificently with saffron risotto and green asparagus, spiced turbot with sea buckthorn and couscous, or grilled pigeon with lentils and pineapple.
Notes
A unique volcanic terroir of greywacke on the 68-degree steep Rangen slope, combined with Demeter-certified biodynamic viticulture and 17 months of lees ageing in oak foudres.
Tasting note
Colour & Appearance
Elegant, medium golden yellow with shimmering copper reflections.
Nose
Following extensive aeration, a monumental wave of aromas pours from the glass. Juiciness emerges through bitter orange, candied orange zest and dried apricots, underpinned by candied ginger, peach and honeydew melon. Spicy accents of cardamom, cinnamon sticks and a hint of incense combine with a gently slumbering, smoky, flinty minerality.
Palate
On the palate, this Alsatian classic is gigantic and multi-layered, reminiscent of biting into a fully ripe pineapple. The off-dry fruit sweetness meets fine tannin, dense spice and a razor-sharp, structuring acidity. A salty, crystalline minerality glides across the tongue with impressive energy.
Finish
Leads into an almost endless finish, underpinned by its volcanic origin and a fascinating freshness.
Terroir & Origin
The Grand Cru Rangen de Thann towers above the old town of Thann with an extreme slope of 68 degrees. The monopoly vineyard Clos-Saint-Urbain is geologically unique: the substrate of greywacke (compressed volcanic ash) lends the Pinot Gris its legendary flavourful power and salty depth of focus.
Grape Variety & Vinification
Single-varietal Pinot Gris. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Demeter-certified since 2002 and led by Master of Wine Olivier Humbrecht, relies on artisanal patience. The 2020 vintage matured for 17 months on the lees in wooden casks to balance the immense power of the volcanic rock with finesse.
Food Pairings
Excellent alongside saffron risotto with green asparagus and crispy carrots, refined turbot with Oriental spices, chickpeas, sea buckthorn and couscous, or wood-charcoal pigeon with red lentils, pineapple and rum-lime cream. Decanting is essential before serving.
Key Features
An aristocratic, monumental wine from biodynamic viticulture, currently still in its infancy and possessing gigantic ageing potential.
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