Bottler: Domaine Zind Humbrecht, 4 Route de Colmar, 68230 Turckheim / France
In the glass
Colour
Amber with orange reflections
Nose
Intense aromatics of honeycomb, rusks, butterscotch, roasted nuts and burnt almonds, complemented by dried apricots and spicy notes of Aachener Printen gingerbread
Palate
Noble sweet with high residual sugar, balanced by crisp acidity and minerality – contemplative and multi-layered
Character
A meditative wine for solitary enjoyment with great depth and longevity, reflecting the geological diversity of Alsace and Olivier Humbrecht’s biodynamic signature
Pairing
Hazelnut brioche with preserved figs and Stilton, pheasant confit with quince and nuts, or carrot cake with hazelnut cream
Notes
Sélection de Grains Nobles quality from biodynamically farmed vines (Demeter-certified since 2002), vinified by Olivier Humbrecht, the first French Master of Wine – a wine that receives at least one to two years of cellar ageing and benefits from a minimum of six months on the lees
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
Amber with orange reflections – a hue that already hints at the concentration and ripeness of this noble sweet wine.
Nose
The aromatics are bursting with intensity: honeycomb, rusk and butterscotch meet roasted nuts and toasted almonds. These are joined by dried apricots and the spicy note of Aachener Printen – a bouquet of rare richness.
Palate
On the palate, the wine reveals its sweet side, yet the high residual sugar finds a brilliant counterpoint in the minerality and the vibrant acidity of the 2008 vintage. The texture is dense and supple, the balance remarkable.
Finish
Long and contemplative, with lingering notes of honey and nuts that resonate long after.
Terroir & origin
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht cultivates 42 hectares in Alsace, including six Grand Cru vineyard sites. Olivier Humbrecht, the first Frenchman to hold the Master of Wine title, converted the estate to biodynamic farming from 1996 onwards; Demeter certification followed in 2002. Yields are a mere 30 to 40 hectolitres per hectare – concentration here is no accident.
Grape variety & vinification
Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder) at the highest Prädikat level, Sélection de Grains Nobles – pressed from individually selected, botrytised berries. No wine leaves the cellar before one to two years of maturation; at least six months on the lees impart the distinctive texture that characterises Zind-Humbrecht wines.
Food recommendations
A soloist of stature that also holds its own at the table: hazelnut brioche with preserved figs and Stilton, pheasant confit with quince and nuts or carrot cake with hazelnut cream – wherever nuts and fruit meet spice, this wine finds its perfect match.
Special features
The half bottle (375 ml) makes this noble sweet wine the ideal companion for a special moment for two. With just 8.0% alcohol despite its luscious character, it displays the classic style of great Sélection de Grains Nobles: opulence without heaviness, sweetness with structure. A wine that rewards patience – both in the glass and in the cellar.
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