Riesling Roche Calcaire 2017

Wine Description for Riesling Roche Calcaire 2017 by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Colour & Appearance

Sparkling, intense golden yellow – a hint of advanced maturity and late bottling in January 2020.

Nose

Pronounced and mineral-driven, this Riesling opens with chalky and earthy notes that communicate the terroir unmistakably. Behind these unfold orange, vineyard peach and candied ginger, accompanied by honey. Oriental spices such as cardamom and turmeric lend depth to the bouquet, whilst hints of tree bark, truffle and even meat jus underscore the complex maturity.

Palate

Charming and expansive with exotic aromatics: fresh pineapple and ginger unite with a fine piquancy that plays elegantly with the residual sweetness present. Despite its maturity, this Riesling shows itself remarkably youthful and vital – a paradox that perfectly illustrates the slow development on limestone soils. The pronounced acidity lends the wine structure and balance.

Finish

Long and mineral-driven with lingering spice and a subtle sweetness that harmonises perfectly with the acidity.

Terroir & Origin

A blend of various small limestone parcels around Gueberschwihr in Alsace, primarily from 1.2 hectares of Riesling planted by Oliver’s father. The limestone soils with their high water-retention capacity fundamentally shape the character of this wine – they impart that reductive development and higher acidity that makes it a classic slow developer.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Riesling from limestone soils, spontaneously fermented. The high acidity and low pH resulted in an extremely slow fermentation, leaving natural residual sugar. Late release – bottled three years after harvest.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Ideal with dishes that combine acidity, sweetness and piquancy: lemongrass soup with coriander, ginger and prawns, spicy chilli-basil chicken or glazed pineapple with green tea ice cream. Asian cuisine is the perfect partner.

Special Features

An extraordinary Riesling with enormous ageing potential. The late bottling and the characteristics of the limestone soils make it a wine for the patient – it will gain considerably in complexity over the coming years.