Domaine Zind-Humbrecht : Pinot Gris "Clos Jebsal" Vendanges tardives 2015

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Pinot Gris "Clos Jebsal" Vendanges Tardives 2015 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a pale golden yellow hue, characteristic of late harvest pinot gris produced in a cool climate.

Nose
The bouquet reveals aromas of apricot and pear, accompanied by notes of honey and white flowers. This aromatic expression reflects a remarkable finesse, signature of the limestone and gypsum terroir of Clos Jebsal.

Palate
Light and lively, the palate reveals a touch of glycerol richness in the background. Honeyed flavors of white-fleshed fruits linger pleasantly on a long, refined, and relatively dry finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Pinot Gris "Clos Jebsal" Vendanges Tardives 2015 pairs ideally with grilled or sauced seafood, spiced poultry, as well as blue cheeses or aged goat cheeses. Its balanced structure also allows it to accompany desserts made with white fruits or honey.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve this wine at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. Light aeration may enhance its aromatic expression. This wine can be enjoyed until around 2028 and beyond, depending on storage conditions.

An elegant and refined Alsace Vendanges Tardives from Clos Jebsal

The estate

Created in 1959 through the union of the Humbrecht and Zind families, the Domaine Zind-Humbrecht now covers around forty hectares across the finest terroirs of Alsace. Olivier Humbrecht, the first Frenchman to earn the Master of Wine title in 1989, has managed the estate since that same year. The estate has been certified in biodynamic agriculture since 2002 and is regarded as one of the world’s benchmarks for the expression of Alsatian terroirs. Olivier Humbrecht has also chaired Biodyvin, the international association of biodynamic winegrowers, since 2002.

The vineyard

Clos Jebsal is a 1.3-hectare monopole located in Turckheim, in Alsace. This historic vineyard, abandoned for decades due to its 50% slope, was revived by Léonard Humbrecht in 1982 and replanted with pinot gris. The site is characterized by gray calcareous marl soils rich in clay and gypsum, spread across four distinct terraces. The southern exposure and the protection provided by the Brand grand cru located uphill create a warm microclimate, while the deep clay soils remain cool, allowing for slow and gradual ripening of the pinot gris. This tension between surface warmth and underground freshness gives the wines remarkable complexity and acidity.

The vintage

The 2015 vintage in Alsace was marked by significant climatic contrasts. After a dull and cool June, July and August experienced heatwave conditions with pronounced drought, with barely more than an inch of rainfall recorded between May and mid-August. These extreme conditions caused widespread water stress in Alsatian vineyards. However, old vines with deep roots and clay-rich plots such as Clos Jebsal better preserved their acidity. The vintage proved too hot and dry to allow the usual development of noble rot, with grape concentration occurring more through natural raisining.

Winemaking and aging

The Pinot Gris "Clos Jebsal" Vendanges Tardives 2015 was vinified according to the estate’s biodynamic principles, with fermentation using indigenous yeasts and no added oenological inputs. The late-harvested grapes were pressed and then fermented in barrels. Aging took place on lees, allowing the wine to develop aromatic complexity while preserving its natural freshness.

Grape variety

100% pinot gris