Riesling Sommerberg
A cuvée much appreciated by wine lovers... Salivating, complex witha high mineral influence, the Clos Häuserer is an elegant wine with great ageing potential.
Definitely chalky in influence (grilled, flinty, dry aromatic herbs). Surprisingly open today, it does not have the classic reductive profile. The palate starts elegantly, then the power gradually appears. Like most Riesling wines from 2016 onwards, it fears cold serving temperatures. The finish is unctuous, rich, bringing a sense of sweetness until the acidity kicks in and leaves the palate dry.
Clos Häuserer is a small, square vineyard of 1.198 ha situated on rich, marl-rich limestone soil, just below the Grand Cru Hengst, on a gentle slope surrounded by hills. The Oligocene bedrock lies at a depth of about 1m to 1.5m. This rich soil layer can take a long time to warm up, which is why, despite being in a very early-ripening area, Clos Häuserer can show the characteristic of a late-ripening vineyard. The high free lime content of these soils is probably responsible for the reducing (petrol) profile of this wine in its youth. The first 1975 vintage (the vines were only 3 years old, so the wine was not released as Clos Häuserer), is still alive. This vineyard has incredible ageing potential and the 2016 vintage, with its honed texture, will have immense cellaring potential. The wild yeasts did their best and surrendered with a slight touch of residual sweetness. The wine still qualifies for the 1 rating as it tastes totally dry.
Clos Häuserer is located just below the lower limit of the Hengst, on a relatively deep Oligocene limestone substrate, with about 50-80 cm of clay above the limestone bedrock.The slope is very shallow, with good water retention, but the basin heats up strongly in summer.
The Clos Häuserer is a terroir prepared to resist high temperatures. It will therefore always have good acidity and structure for ageing, but in a sunny vintage, it is also normal to harvest grapes with a high degree of ripeness, despite the absence of noble rot. Fermentation was slow and the wine found its balance with some residual sugar.
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The Estate Zind-Humbrecht
Today, the vineyard of the Zind-Humbrecht estate covers 41.1 hectares with a plantation divided between 30% Gewurztraminer, 30% Pinot gris, 30% Riesling, 7% Pinot blanc and 3% Muscat. In addition to all these white terroirs, there is one hectare devoted to the cultivation of Pinot Noir. Entirely converted to biodynamic cultivation since 2000, the wines of Zind-Humbrecht have continued to gain in complexity and minerality. The first French master of wine succeeds in producing intense, powerful, rich, salivating wines, with a straightforwardness and density that are quite exceptional. Tasting a great terroir wine such as a Grand Cru Rangen de Thann, a Clos Jebsal or a Clos Windsbuhl remains a very special emotion... Zind-Humbrecht wines can be found on the Passionnés du Vin website. The best vintages, often in several vintages, are proposed to discover or rediscover the quality of the terroir and the fruity taste of these Alsace wines. Treat yourself and order your bottle of Zind-Humbrecht now, to be enjoyed in moderation of course. For an exceptional moment...
The Estate Zind-Humbrecht
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