Riesling Wineck-Schlossberg Grand Cru 2022

A small, captivating Grand Cru from Alsace: dry, demanding, sharply defined. Radiant golden yellow in the glass, behind which lies a purity and power built for long ageing.

The Wineck-Schlossberg near Katzenthal spreads across several hills with exposures from southeast to south, some very steep. The soil is biotite granite, a two-mica granite. The site does not sit at the end of a deep valley, so the microclimate experiences both cool and warm phases throughout the year. The proximity of the mountains brings cooler evening temperatures and reduces the risk of sunburn on the grapes. Olivier Humbrecht added the hectare to the estate in 2021, at the initiative of vineyard manager Jérôme Noll.

Pure Riesling from old vines, in 2022 in its second year of organic and biodynamic conversion. In mid-August, a severe hailstorm swept through the site, costing a substantial share of the grapes. What remained fermented comparatively quickly and had already finished fermenting before the summer of 2023. 13.5% vol.

The nose brings together citrus fruit, lemon zest, lemon thyme, peach and juicy orange, framed by the lean clarity of granite. On the palate the wine grips firmly: vibrant acidity, saline intensity, not a gram of sweetness. Be sure to decant, and serve not too cold in a larger glass.

With dishes featuring fresh, citrus accents: pumpkin gnocchi with grapefruit sauce and lemon thyme, prawns with almond-herb parmesan and fresh parsley, or corn-fed poularde with kumquats on chard.

The youngest Grand Cru in Domaine Zind-Humbrecht's portfolio, marked by hail in its very first full vintage. The small quantity did nothing to compromise the quality.