The Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Heimbourg 2022 combines the limestone-driven minerality of a spectacular Alsatian steep slope with refreshing vitality and great ageing potential.
Bottler: Domaine Zind Humbrecht, 4 Route de Colmar, 68230 Turckheim / France
In the glass
Colour
Radiant golden yellow.
Nose
Earthy, Burgundian nuances of cep mushrooms and truffles, complemented by ripe apples, candied lemon, orange, apricot kernel and delicate blossom.
Palate
Razor-sharp and refreshing with invigorating acidity, focused citrus and apple notes, and a fine saline texture.
Character
Powerful, multi-layered and supremely elegant; currently still youthful and taut, with a pronounced structure for long bottle ageing.
Pairing
Poached free-range egg with cep mushrooms and tarragon foam, smoked salmon with truffle oil, or roasted poussin with cinnamon and almonds.
Notes
A Demeter-certified single-vineyard wine from a sun-drenched south-southwest-facing limestone site, vinified bone-dry thanks to an extremely slow fermentation from young vines.
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
A radiant golden yellow in the glass.
Nose
Initially unusually earthy and mineral on the nose, almost with the complexity of a great Burgundy. Notes of cep mushrooms and truffle emerge. With a little aeration, multifaceted fruit nuances of apple, candied lemon peel, orange and apricot kernel open up, accompanied by delicate reminiscences of lime blossom and tree blossom. All elements are interwoven with power and style.
Palate
On the palate, the wine strikes the tongue with razor-sharp precision, showing vibrant acidity and a pronounced salty vein. Very elegant and refreshing; at this stage, the precise citrus and apple notes dominate. This dry Riesling possesses excellent ageing potential – over the years, the earthy, smoky and spicy facets will become increasingly prominent on the palate.
Terroir & origin
The Heimbourg vineyard site in Turckheim is a spectacular, demanding single vineyard on the south/south-west facing slope of an Oligocene limestone hill, directly overlooking the Munster Valley. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht owns around two thirds of this parcel. The limestone soil is considered late-ripening, whilst the aspect is distinctly solar. Even in hot years such as 2022, the vines do not suffer from drought and are deeply rooted.
Grape variety & vinification
This Riesling comes from vines replanted after 2012. The parcel has been farmed biodynamically from the outset (the domaine has been Demeter-certified since 2002). Fermentation proceeded extremely slowly in the cellar but never stalled, resulting in a completely dry taste profile. In line with the house philosophy, the wine spends at least six months on the lees and matures patiently in the cellar before release.
Food recommendations
Excellent with poached free-range egg with dried cep mushrooms and tarragon foam, smoked salmon with truffle oil and orange zest, or roasted poussin with cinnamon and fresh almonds. If opened young, prior decanting is recommended, along with serving in large Burgundy glasses.
Special features
Master of Wine Olivier Humbrecht demonstrates here just how outstanding young vines on limestone can perform when nurtured biodynamically from day one. Sensorially, the wine captivates with its exciting tension between Burgundian mushroom spice and stony freshness.
