Pinot Gris Rotenberg 2020

Wine Description:

Olivier Humbrecht's vineyard, Rotenberg de Wintzenheim, is located on the western slope of GC Hengst, with the parent rock consisting of marly, calcareous and sandy elements - identical to its neighbour. The Rotenberg, however, is more distinctively characterised by ferruginous, shallow soils that give the soil a deep red colour - the origin of the vineyard's name. It benefits from its altitude and its exposure to the Vosges, which favours late ripening. Thus, the winemaker has just the right climate to produce exceptionally noble sweet and dry wines that stand out for their high acidity and intense aromatic expression, something unusual for this otherwise neutral grape.

The low yields, which are among the smallest in the winery, strengthen the terroir character of the Rotenberg wines. This year was characterised by high acidity, which required a very slow fermentation. In the past, Pinot Gris wines were often bottled early, but over time it became clear that such wines deserve a longer maturation on the lees, especially with wines as dry as this 2020.

A look into the glass reveals a radiant power with an intense golden yellow. The Pinot Gris Rotenberg 2020 scores with clear precision and diversity. A refreshing aroma of bright fruits such as quince, pear and citrus, surrounded by floral notes and a hint of herbs arouses curiosity and tempts the first sip.

On the palate, the Pinot Gris enlivens with a freshness reminiscent of a Riesling and flows over the tongue with finesse and expression. This fantastic juiciness goes perfectly with hearty dishes with intense spices - a prime example of an Alsatian Pinot Gris! For full development of its expression, it should be decanted over several hours and served in a generous glass.

Alternative food suggestion: Rocket salad with pears, walnuts and goat cheese, Roasted sea bass with lemon thyme sauce, Braised chicken leg with thyme, lemon and spicy broccoli.