Domaine Zind-Humbrecht : Gewurztraminer Grand cru "Hengst" 2024

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Gewurztraminer Grand Cru "Hengst" 2024 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Tasting

Color
This white wine from France reveals an intense straw-yellow hue, evolving toward bright, luminous highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet proves remarkably complex, blending exotic fruit and floral notes with seductive spicy accents. A mineral and saline dimension elevates the whole.

Palate
On the palate, the texture is grainy and profoundly mineral. The mouthfeel, marked by a fine tannic grip reminiscent of the spicy austerity of a light red wine, delivers a sensation of power that is perfectly controlled. Vibrant acidity brings remarkable balance, stretching the finish into a long, saline-tinged persistence.

Food and wine pairing

Thanks to its aromatic richness and robust structure, this wine pairs wonderfully with the spicy, flavorful dishes of Asian cuisines, such as Peking duck, Thai green curry, or chicken tikka masala. It also enhances Alsatian gastronomy, ideally accompanying a well-aged Munster cheese or spiced charcuterie. Bolder pairings emerge with pan-seared foie gras, shellfish such as lobster, or a caramelized dessert like a tarte tatin.

Serving and aging

Built to stand the test of time, the Gewurztraminer Grand Cru "Hengst" 2024 boasts remarkable aging potential. While it can be enjoyed young, it will reveal the full complexity of its aromas after extended cellaring, and can be kept for several decades, up until around 2054.

Other characteristics

Despite a slight residual sweetness of around 6.9 grams per liter, the overall balance of this cuvée remains distinctly dry. Its alcohol content ranges between 13% and 14%.

The Mineral Expression of an Alsatian Terroir by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

The estate

Born in 1959 from the union of two historic winegrowing families, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht stands as a leading name in Alsace. Located in Turckheim, this forty-hectare estate is now led by Olivier Humbrecht. Alongside his wife Margaret, his son Pierre-Émile, and Clara Herrscher, he upholds a demanding philosophy grounded in biodynamics. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht is distinguished by its relentless pursuit of quality, showcasing a mosaic of prestigious terroirs to craft wines of purity and authentic expression, true to their origins.

The vineyard

The terroir of the Hengst grand cru, located near Wintzenheim in Alsace, spans a steeply sloped hill enjoying an ideal south to south-east exposure between 270 and 360 meters in altitude. The 1.4-hectare plot farmed by the estate rests on marl-limestone soils dating from the Oligocene era, particularly rich in iron. The vines, grown from old massale selections planted in the 1920s and 1950s, are tended with the utmost care, including plowing with draft animals and entirely manual harvesting to ensure low yields and optimal concentration.

The vintage

2024 unfolded against a backdrop of significant seasonal weather variation. The growing cycle had to contend with an alternation of prolonged dry spells and intense rainy episodes, requiring constant attention and rigorous adaptation in the vineyard to preserve the health and quality of the grapes.

Winemaking and aging

The making of the Gewurztraminer Grand Cru "Hengst" 2024 follows a minimal-intervention approach. After a very slow and gentle whole-bunch pressing lasting eighteen to twenty-four hours, fermentation begins naturally through indigenous yeasts and can extend over several months. The wine is then aged for twelve months on full lees in large old oak foudres. Malolactic fermentation takes place during this period, before a late bottling that allows the wine to stabilize naturally.

Grape variety

100% Gewurztraminer