Gewurztraminer Hengst Grand Cru Vendanges Tardives 2011 - Zind-Humbrecht

Gewurztraminer Hengst Grand Cru Vendanges Tardives 2011 - Zind-Humbrecht

Caution: The bottles of Alsace wine do not fit into the wooden boxes sold separately.

Bottling : September 2012

Alcohol content : 12.5°.

Residual sugar : 102 g/l

Total acidity : 3.2 g/l H2S04

pH :3.8

Yield : 25 hl/ha

Optimum tasting : 2016-2041+.

Average age of the vines : 60 years

Terroir :Oligocene marl and limestone, south-south-east facing, medium to steep slope

Description :

The Hengst is located in a hot and early climatic zone, close to Colmar, protected by the Vosges mountains which overhang its highest part. Its south-eastern exposure also makes it a relatively dry terroir. This does not cause any problems for the vines, which find sufficient reserves in the marl-limestone soil, but it does prevent the development of botrytis too early, which is never a good omen. Often harvested very ripe, Hengst is not often declared as Vendange Tardive, because of the increased resistance of the very old vines to botrytis and this drier climate. However, when the noble rot takes hold in the Hengst, as in 2011 when there was sufficient humidity, it can produce a high class late harvest.

Tasting notes:

the nose already reveals today all the complexity of this great Gewurztraminer terroir: spices, leather, stones, wax/honey, lychee, mango... the list is too long, and it intensifies after a long opening of the wine. The aromatic profile is close to that of an SGN, both on the nose and the palate. The botrytis remains very discreet and fades into the background. The palate expresses a beautiful, persistent liquor, finishing on a surprising mineral touch and again a strong influence of the Hengst. The sweetness is important, but necessary to coat the strength of this wine. Very good ageing potential.

Indice: Level of sweetness on the palate. Scale from 1 to 5.

1: analytically dry or tasting dry. 2: not analytically dry, but the sugars are not obviously apparent on the palate. Some tasters may find a slight roundness in the finish. These wines will taste dry with some bottle ageing. 3: Medium sweetness, higher in the youth of the wine, which will gradually fade with age. 4 : sweet wine. 5 : Sweet wine, very close to a Vendange Tardive.