Domaine Zind-Humbrecht : Pinot Gris Grand cru "Clos Saint Urbain Rangen de Thann" 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Pinot Gris Grand Cru "Clos Saint Urbain Rangen de Thann" 2023 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Tasting

Colour
A deep green hue flecked with yellow highlights, this wine bears witness to an extended skin maceration.

Nose
Highly intense, the bouquet opens with herbaceous notes and a smoky minerality. On aeration, it reveals a complexity blending volcanic ash, ripe pear, dried apricot and candied quince, all underscored by flinty aromas.

Palate
The palate stands out for its vibrant energy and silky texture. Remarkably precise, it delivers flavours of ripe pear and nettle, carried by a bright acidity. Volcanic minerality dominates the fruit, guiding the tasting towards a long, intensely lemony finish.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs beautifully with raw seafood such as oysters or a ceviche, as well as with delicately prepared fish flavoured with lemon. It also enhances poultry in creamy sauces, traditional tarte flambée, mushroom-based vegetarian dishes, and washed-rind soft cheeses such as morbier.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate its complexity, it is advisable to open this Pinot Gris Grand Cru "Clos Saint Urbain Rangen de Thann" 2023 several hours before tasting. This wine, built to last, can be enjoyed until around 2060.

Other characteristics

This wine stands out for its resolutely dry profile, with residual sugar below 2 g/l, and a moderate alcohol content remaining under 13%.

The Volcanic Expression of an Alsace White Wine by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

The estate

Founded in 1959 following the marriage of Léonard Humbrecht and Geneviève Zind, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht continues a family lineage dating back to 1620. Located in Turckheim, in Alsace, the estate tends a 40-hectare vineyard spread across several villages. Today, the domaine is run by Olivier Humbrecht, the first Frenchman to earn the prestigious title of Master of Wine. A pioneer of sustainable viticulture, the domaine applies biodynamic principles to bring out the authentic expression of its terroirs.

The vineyard

The Rangen de Thann grand cru is the southernmost, highest and steepest terroir in Alsace, with dizzying slopes reaching 45 to 60 degrees. Facing due south, this unique vineyard is distinguished by its volcanic soils, composed of greywacke, tuff and iron-rich sedimentary rock. Here, the domaine cultivates the Clos Saint Urbain plot, which benefits from the regulating influence and humidity of the Thur river below.

The vintage

The year began with a particularly mild winter, leading to an early budbreak. The growing cycle then continued through a complex spring and summer, with weather conditions that ultimately allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness while preserving a fine acid balance.

Winemaking and aging

The domaine's philosophy is founded on minimal intervention. The grapes are harvested in whole bunches before an extremely slow pressing. Fermentation of the Pinot Gris Grand Cru "Clos Saint Urbain Rangen de Thann" 2023 takes place naturally through indigenous yeasts, at a very slow pace. The wine then undergoes extended aging on the lees for 16 to 18 months in old oak foudres, which encourages the development of its texture and aromatic complexity, with minimal clarification before bottling.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Gris