Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru 2017 1500ml Magnum

Wine Description for Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain Grand Cru 2017 1500ml Magnum from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Colour & Appearance

Intense golden yellow, which already announces visually the concentration and maturity of this extraordinary vintage.

Nose

A monument of restraint. Gunpowder, smoke and wet stone dominate the still reductive bouquet – this Riesling is entirely absorbed in itself. With patience and air, spicy-medicinal notes unfold, almost iodine-like, underpinned by cool, ripe fruit. A wine that demands and deserves time.

Palate

Here its true greatness reveals itself: floral notes like freshly picked flowers transform into an intense infusion, accompanied by salty stone, bright fruit concentrate and a distinct, almost tannin-like structure. The precise acidity propels the wine forward and unveils its boundless energy – a pendulum between heaven and earth, between volcanic grounding and ethereal floating. Sublime, transparent, timeless.

Finish

Long, mineral, carried by vibrant acidity. The power unfolds completely only in the aftertaste – a finale that underscores the deep rootedness in the volcanic terroir.

Terroir & Origin

The Grand Cru Rangen de Thann is an exceptional phenomenon in Alsace: volcanic tuff and greywacke at 350-475 metres altitude, extremely steep slopes (90%), cold draught from the Grand Ballon. 2017 was the only terroir that survived frost and hail virtually unscathed. The deeply rooted, 55-year-old vines yielded only 19 hl/ha – pure concentration.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Riesling, fermented over several months. With 4.2 g/l residual sugar, 3.8 g acidity and pH 3.15 technically dry, yet with subtle fullness. For Olivier Humbrecht one of the three finest vintages since 1959 – despite or precisely because of the minimal yields.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Crustacean terrine with lobster bisque, veal sweetbread ragout with mushrooms and Riesling beurre blanc or stuffed pork belly with ginger and lemongrass. The salty minerality harmonises perfectly with seafood and complex meat dishes.

Special Features

Magnum format for optimal ageing. At Zind-Humbrecht itself, this wine will not be opened before 2022 – a clear statement about its enormous ageing potential. A Riesling of historical dimension.