Pinot Gris Rotenberg 2020

Dry, acid-driven, sharply defined. The Pinot Gris Rotenberg 2020 builds on tension and juiciness without lacking body, showing an aromatic expression that is unusually intense for this otherwise fairly neutral grape variety.

The single vineyard Rotenberg de Wintzenheim lies on the western slope of the Grand Cru Hengst. The marly-limestone-sandy bedrock is the same, but the Rotenberg's soils are much shallower and very high in iron; the iron gives the earth its deep red colour and lent the vineyard its name. The elevation and orientation towards the Vosges create a climate that allows for late ripening. The site produces great botrytised sweet wines as well as dry wines with strong acidity.

Pinot Gris from yields that rank among the lowest at the estate. The high acidity of the 2020 vintage led to a very slow fermentation. In the past, Pinot Gris was often bottled early; here, the wine was given a longer ageing period on the lees. 13.5% vol.

Brilliant, intense golden yellow in the glass. On the nose, quince, pear and citrus, alongside floral notes and an herbal fragrance. On the palate, freshness, finesse and a fantastic juiciness that can carry hearty, intensely spiced cuisine.

Orange and wakame salad with roasted tofu and sesame, cod ceviche with mustard ice cream and beetroot, or quail crépinette with confit leg, rosehip, lemon and tarragon.

Olivier Humbrecht, the first Frenchman to hold the title of Master of Wine, farms 42 hectares biodynamically; in 1996 he converted the first five hectares. No wine leaves the cellar before one to two years of ageing. If opening now, decant for several hours and serve in a large glass; over the course of a few days the bottle gains further expression.