Zind Humbrecht Riesling Roche Volcanique – 2023

Olivier Humbrecht MW’s notes

Bottling date: 1/2025; Alcohol: 12.65° alc; Residual sweetness: 1.8 g/l; Total Acidity 3.7 g/l H2SO4 (5.7 g/l Tartaric acid), pH: 3.25; Yields: 30 hl/ha; Optimum drinking period: 2026-2038+; Average age of the vines: 37 years; Terroir: Sedimentary volcanic rocks, facing South, very steep slope. Indice 1/EU Dry wine.

This wine comes from different sections planted on the Clos Saint Urbain in Thann between 1978 and 1989. The arid climate of 2023 and the slow maturity led us to make selections and separate the vines that were a little more fertile, to refine the grand vin as best as possible. Throughout the vinification, we were tempted to blend this small barrel with the Rangen, but as the bottling date approached, it became obvious that this selection work was necessary. The fact remains that the extraordinary pedigree brought by this volcanic terroir is very present in this wine. The grapes were magnificent! The fermentation was however very slow but nevertheless allowed us to produce a very dry and expressive wine from this terroir.

Olivier Humbrecht MW’s tasting notes

1/2025: pale golden yellow colour. The nose immediately reveals the volcanic signature with aromas of wet stones, light petrichor, smoke. The mouth shows a velvety and silky texture, with a round and saline acidity. The finish is enhanced by ripe bitters which reinforce the persistence of the wine. The 2023 vintage of Roche Volcanique is a good introduction to the Rangen terroir.

“A wealth of delicate spicy aromas pulls you into the surprisingly elegant, medium-bodied palate of this wine that gracefully washes over you, at once delighting with its stone fruit aromas and refreshing with its lively acidity and touch of salinity. Limited production, entirely from young vines in the Grand Cru Rangen. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.” 95/100 James Suckling