Trimbach Riesling Clos Ste. Hune

Wine information: Maison Trimbach (F. E. Trimbach) is, without question, one of the greatest names in wine-making in the French region of Alsace. Based in the town of Ribeauvillé, the Trimbach family has been involved in wine making over 13 generations. The business was founded by Jean Trimbach in 1626 in Riquewihr and has since moved twice, in the 1840s to Hunawihr and most recently to Ribeauvillé after World War One. Maison Trimbach has an enviable reputation for the quality of its entire range. Trimbach owns many vineyard located around Ribeauvillé (with predominantly limestone soils) but they also act as a negociant for local growers . Trimbach does not use the Alsace Grand Cru designation for any of their wines (although most of their top wines come from Grand Cru vineyard sites). The company is perhaps best known for its top-end dry Rieslings made in the traditional Alsatian style – structured, elegant, fruity, balanced and long-lived. Trimbach’s top wine is the iconic Clos Ste Hune, a dry Riesling produced from a special plot in the Rosacker Grand Cru Vineyard. Trimbach wines are also listed in every single one of the 26 Three Michelin Star restaurants in France, and are present on the very best restaurant wine lists across the globe. Clos Ste Hune is a an exceptional terroir located in the heart of Grand Cru Rosacker, Hunawihr. The Clos represents 1,67 hectares and has belonged to the Trimbach family for more than 200 years. Bottled in April after the vintage, the wines are only produced in exceptional years and interestingly, some are released before others. The calcary soil allows this Riesling to develop a specific aroma and a wonderful concentration of fruits. Dry yet succulent, of phenomenal complexity, this wine develops an extraordinary aftertaste of minerals after a few years in bottle. The plot, which is approximately 50 years old, is south south east exposed and the yields are very low, about 40 to 50 hectoliters per hectare. Annual production reaches about 9000 bottles, depending on the vintage. That makes the wine so unique that Clos Sainte Hune is looked for by many collectors all over the world.

Tasting Notes: Trimbach Riesling Clos Ste Hune is a bright, green-gold colour. The nose displays lime blossom, pine needle, musk and white pepper. The minerality is vigorous even before tasting and the palate is sturdy and wonderfully refreshing with lively acidity and fantastic structure. Tree fruits, green gages and linden flowers are a few of the countless flavours identified in this complex and refined wine. A powerful and expansive finish laden with minerals. Will continue improving with bottle age (20+ years).

Food & Wine match: This wine is so complex and lucious it's arguably best drunk on its own. Alternatively foie gras makes a fine companion.

Reviews: "Slightly fusty on the nose – I think this should be decanted. Lots of evolution and chew but no charm at the moment. All power and extract and introversion but it certainly has the composition to blossom eventually. Not to be rushed, I’d say. Powerful and muscular. Bit of a prize fighter in fact." 18 Points, Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com

"The 2002 Riesling Clos Ste-Hune – at under 8,000 bottles the smallest lot ever (even 2003 approached 9,000) – displays chicken stock, quarry dust, musk, wood smoke, and lime on the nose, then deposits minerality as deep, saline, and mysterious as the ocean. It is still very firm in finish for all of its length and one will have to have patience here as well. Plan on enjoying this anytime during the second decade of this new century, but plan on cuisine that will suit its extreme minerality." 93 Points, David Schildknecht, Wine Advocate February 2008

 
     

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