Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Hengst Grand Cru – 2019

Here are Olivier Humbrecht’s tasting details about this wine:-

Bottling date: 8/2020; Alcohol: 13.4° alc; Residual sweetness: 25.9 g/l; Total Acidity: 2.5 g/l H2SO4 (3.8 g/l Tartaric), pH: 3.9; Yields: 40 hl/ha; Optimum drinking period: 2024-2049+; Average age of the vines: 68 years; Terroir: Marl-Oligocene limestone. South-South-East facing, medium to steep slope. Indice 3.

The imposing south-east facing hill of the Hengst Grand Cru is located on the south of the village of Wintzenheim. The red Oligocene limestone has proven to be one of the best site for the Gewurztraminer grape variety. The vineyard enjoys very warm and dry growing condition, and the soil brings structure, great phenolic concentration and keeps the varietal characteristic low in profit or more complex spicy expressions. The wine is made from two little vineyards, planted in 1953 and in the 1920s. Arguably the best and most beautiful cultivars of Gewurztraminer on the estate. They predate the higher yielding modern clones and are able to produce a consistent complex wine where the varietal characteristic do not become the main focus of the wine. Obviously Hengst is harvested with high ripeness level and it is to be expected that it always finishes with a certain residual sweetness.

Tasting note: bright yellow colour. The nose shows an intense spicy/fruit complex combination. Experience tasters will recognise easily the Hengst limestone signature: restraint, persistent, big palate, showing a grainy texture. The 2019 is so harmonious that it is possible to enjoy the wine today. That is rare for such a wine! The finish in unctuous, soft, with concentrated minerals that bring a saline finish. The 2019 has reached a perfect balance and will age elegantly for many years.