Zind Humbrecht Riesling Roche Calcaire – 2020

Here are Olivier Humbrecht’s tasting notes on this wine:-

Bottling date: 1/2022; Alcohol: 13.2°alc; Residual sweetness: 1.6 g/l; Total Acidity 4,4 g/l H2SO4 (6.7 g/l Tartaric acid), pH:3.0; Yields: 48 hl/ha; Optimum drinking period 2025-2038; Average age of vines: 46 years; Terroir: Limestone/calcareous/siliceous, facing East and South. Indice 1/EU Dry wine.

This wine is produced each year from a blend of several small vineyards located in the town of Gueberschwihr, south of Colmar, all planted by my father in the 60s and 70s. Their common point is a moderately late ripening terroir on calcareous-sandstone marl, facing east or south on a gentle slope. These vines are of exemplary regularity and have the immense advantage of not suffering from climatic excesses, especially lack of water or excess heat. The 2020 vintage is in fact a vintage that is perfectly suited to this type of terroir. The harvest was early and very healthy, the fermentation was slow like all Rieslings in 2020 and was able to finish with a very dry balance. Aged in large old oak foudres on total lees until bottling.

Tasting note January 2022: Pale yellow colour. The nose is still discreet and opens gently towards aromas of citrus fruits and lemon. Decanting well before serving is imperative if this wine is opened in its youth. The tension palpable on the nose is found on the palate, with an ample, sappy attack, marked by a fine acidity. This wine displays superb maturity while remaining precise. The finish shows a beautiful ripe acidity presence which enhances the wine serious texture of a great dry wine.