Maison Trimbach : Riesling "Cuvée Frédéric Emile" Sélection de Grains Nobles 2000

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Riesling "Cuvée Frédéric Emile" Sélection de Grains Nobles 2000 from Maison Trimbach

Tasting

Appearance

The color shows a pale golden yellow hue, enhanced by greenish highlights characteristic of an Alsace white wine that has benefited from bottle aging.

Nose

The nose reveals lovely aromatic complexity with pronounced mineral notes, accompanied by nuances of dried flowers and candied citrus. Subtle touches reminiscent of quince and ripe white-fleshed fruits round out this elegant bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this 2000 Alsace white wine displays a remarkable structure, combining power and finesse. The texture is broad and generous, carried by a lively acidity that brings freshness and balance. The mineral aromas linger at length, reflecting the exceptional aging potential of this vintage.

Food and wine pairings

This dry, structured white wine pairs perfectly with Alsatian gastronomic dishes such as choucroute, onion tarts, or pork preparations. It also matches beautifully with grilled or marinated fish, as well as poultry in a creamy sauce.

Serving and cellaring

This 2000 Alsace white wine can be enjoyed now, having reached a fine maturity after more than two decades of aging. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity.

A dry, structured Alsace white wine from Maison Trimbach

The estate

The Maison Trimbach is one of Alsace’s oldest and most prestigious wine houses. Established in Ribeauvillé since 1920, this family estate is now run by Jean Trimbach for the commercial side, while the thirteenth generation—represented by Anne, Frédérique, Julien and Pauline Trimbach—has been progressively taking over since 2008. The estate oversees around 61 hectares of vineyards spread across more than fifty parcels and ten distinct villages. Internationally recognized for its dry, mineral-driven rieslings, Maison Trimbach was honored in 2025 with the title of Brand of the Year by La Revue du Vin de France.

The vineyard

Maison Trimbach’s vines are located exclusively on the Ribeauvillé fault zone in Alsace, a complex geological formation created around 50 million years ago. The soils show remarkable diversity, with shell limestone (Muschelkalk), clay-limestone marls, Vosges sandstone, and migmatitic granites. This mosaic of terroirs benefits from a semi-continental climate protected by the Vosges, with exceptionally low rainfall and optimal sunshine. The average age of the vines reaches 45 years, allowing the roots to fully draw out the soils’ mineral characteristics. Planting density ranges from 5,500 to 6,000 vines per hectare, encouraging a natural concentration of aromas.

The vintage

The year 2000 offered particularly favorable climatic conditions in Alsace, enabling optimal ripening of the grapes. The growing season benefited from an ideal balance between warmth and coolness, ensuring sufficient sugar accumulation while preserving the berries’ natural acidity. Late-harvest conditions provided extended picking windows, allowing for precise selection of fruit at optimal ripeness. This vintage is also known for encouraging the development of noble rot, making it possible to produce outstanding late-harvest wines.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking of this 2000 Alsace white wine follows the traditional philosophy of Maison Trimbach, favoring the pure expression of terroir. The grapes are vinified to produce a dry, powerful, structured wine, capable of precisely expressing the soil’s mineral character. Aging is carried out in a way that preserves the wine’s freshness and natural balance, without masking the expression of the vintage and the Alsatian terroir.

Grape variety

Riesling.