Zind Humbrecht Pinot Noir Heimbourg – 2022

Olivier Humbrecht MW’s notes

Bottling date: 1/2024; Alcohol: 12.6°; Residual sweetness: <0.5 g/l; Total Acidity 3.7 g/l H2SO4 (5.7 g/l Tartaric), pH: 3.7; Yields: 23 hl/ha; Optimum drinking period: 2025-2037; Planted in 1995; Terroir: Oligocene calcareous, facing West, medium slope. 100% Pinot-Noir.

The domaine Zind-Humbrecht produces only one red wine, on a very small plot of 0.32ha in the single vineyard Heimbourg in Turckheim. The soil of the Heimbourg originates from the erosion of the Oolithic limestone, once on top of the Vosges mountains, mixed with a limestone sandstone and rich in iron. Its west exposure allows for a slow ripeness, so this wine rarely reaches high alcohol and can keep a good acidity. In 2021, the vines didn’t produce any grapes (mildew) so in 2022, well rested, the vines produced a decent crop. Planted at high density (9000 vines and very close to the soil, the clusters are small. There is always a high ration skin/juice. The clusters are entirely destemmed by hand on an old-fashioned pierced wood board, which also acts as a sorting table. There is very little manipulation during the 2 weeks of fermentation. The wine is decanted by gravity into 2 to 4 years old barrels. The bottling is done without filtration and fining.

1/2024: Vibrant and fresh ruby red colour. The nose shows delicate red fruits aromas, quite developped. The aromatics are complex and pure, the wine holds air very well and shows little evolution after hours in the glass. There was little sorting to do in 2022, the grapes were healthy and ripe, which shows in the finished wine. The palate is elegant, with a medium power and harmonious acidity, and a surprising elegance. The tannins are soft, ripe and the finish is vibrant and lively. This is a serious elegant red wine that will age beautifully.

“What an enticing spicy nose with notes of Damson plum and loganberry. Serious structure on the medium- to full-bodied palate, the plush tannins making a bold statement, Long, velvety finish. This will definitely benefit from further maturation in bottle. From a west-facing site with a rocky limestone soil. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.” 93pts James Suckling