Gewürztraminer Sonnenglanz Grand Cru 2018

This Gewürztraminer draws on every facet of the variety, but does so with understatement. White peach and linden blossom open the aromatics, followed by orange zest and green mandarin, later pink rose petals and honeycomb, grounded by wet limestone.

The Sonnenglanz grand cru lies to the north, at the edge of Beblenheim towards Zellenberg, south-east facing, at 220 to 270 metres above sea level and spanning 32.80 hectares, planted predominantly with Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. The homogeneous soils consist of Tertiary limestone conglomerate from the Rhine Graben interspersed with marls of Eocene-Oligocene age: a heavy, well-structured, stony limestone soil.

Pure Gewürztraminer, 13.5% vol., with a gentle residual sweetness. Andrée Trapet took over the family estate in Riquewihr in 2002; since 2018, day-to-day work has been in the hands of her sons Pierre and Louis. The 15 hectares spread across four grand crus are farmed biodynamically: vines trained on échalas, the wooden stakes that support each vine individually, cover-cropped soils, copper and sulphur kept to a minimum, and biodynamic preparations used to support vine vitality.

Taut, with fine minerality and a creamy texture. Citrus aromas run over a saline foundation, the sweetness sits polished within a compact structure.

Tomato, mango, mozzarella and basil for a vegetarian option, pike dumplings with baby turnips and beurre blanc, or duck on pineapple sauerkraut with blood sausage ravioli.

Decanting is worthwhile already now, as is patience: this wine is built to age and rewards it with precision.