Description
The Humbrecht family viticultural roots can be traced back to The Thirty Years War of 1620. Today they own forty hectares across five villages in the Haut-Rhin, the southern half of the picturesque vineyards overlapping the Vosges foothills, treasured for its idyllic climate, tapestry of terroirs as much for its half-timbered houses.
Tasting Note
Theplot « Les Longeays » Since – for the first time since 1989 – the level and quality of botrytis in the generally late-ripening and rot-free Heimbourg permitted the picking of S.G.N., the grapes that were left to inform the “regular” 2005 Gewurztraminer Heimbourg were completely healthy. Nevertheless, fermentation quickly petered out, leaving behind 43 grams of residual sugar. Spiced winter pear and quince paste on the nose betray intense ripeness but less-than-obvious varietal characteristics. On the palate brown spices abound, along with musky carnal and chalky mineral elements notes. Hints of caramel along with almost Chenin-like quince and pear concentrate and subtle, lily-like floral sweetness inform a long, soothing finish. I think of this as a remarkably elegant and refined, botyrytis-free V.T., and a wine surely capable of at least 10-12 of interesting evolution. [ 91/100 – David Schildknecht – Feb 29, 2008 – www.robertparker.com ]
