Domaine Trimbach - Alsace Riesling Clos Sainte-Hune 2020

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The Ribeauvillé winery is slowly evolving to keep pace with the times. After shifting its focus to grand cru wines, Trimbach is in the process of converting to organic farming (certification expected in 2023). This transition will require the involvement of its grape and wine suppliers. Here, Riesling reigns supreme (55% of production). The terroirs are well-suited: marl-limestone (Geisberg, Mandelberg, Clos-Saint-Hune in Rosacker) or granite (Schlossberg, Brand). The Frédéric-Émile cuvée blends the Osterberg and Geisberg grands crus. The 2017 and 2019 vintages will go down in history.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

A must-visit winery that stands proudly in the beautiful town of the minstrels, Trimbach delights wine lovers with its legendary Frédéric-Émile and Clos Sainte-Hune vintages. Depending on the vintage, Pierre Trimbach crafts Riesling with a vertical approach, always in a dry style. His brother Jean oversees global sales. They are now supported by the next generation: Anne and Frédérique (Pierre’s daughters) and Pauline and Julien (Jean’s children). The family produces wine from nearly 60 hectares of their own vineyards and about 100 hectares of purchased grapes. Certain grand cru wines have been designated as such since 2009 and are directly allocated in small quantities by Jean Trimbach to the world’s finest restaurants. The estate undeniably contributes to the promotion of Alsace wines with internationally renowned cuvées, while also producing entry-level wines of consistent quality. The range of Pinot Noirs still has room for improvement.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2020 Riesling Clos Sainte Hune comes from a 1.6-hectare plot located in the Rosacker Grand Cru. The nose is consistently smoky and earthy, with notes of mirabelle plum skin. The palate is immediately creamy, with a lovely note of fresh and cooked mirabelle plums, which highlights the charm of the stone fruit—which, for now, dominates the essential minerality and concentration. The fruity charm conceals the terroir’s essential depth and freshness, its profound minerality, and its magnificent, extremely balanced texture. The finish is salty, concentrated, and tangy. A picture of balance. (Very dry)

James Suckling

About the wine:

As incredibly dense as it is precise and concentrated, this wine possesses exceptional purity and originality. A master of its own, it looks you straight in the eye like no other great dry white wine in the world does. The finish is extraordinary—dazzling, stimulating, and inspiring. And, yes, it also boasts wonderful fruitiness, a very invigorating acidity, subtle minerality, and so much more! Enjoy it as soon as it’s released in 2024.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The 2020 vintage’s bouquet features hints of almonds and spices, along with minerality. This deep wine stands out for its delicate character and its exceptional ability to balance fullness with subtlety, and maturity with freshness. Citrus nuances blend with the minerality, notes of stone fruit, and a hint of spice. On the palate, the wine impresses with its ability to balance intensity, verve, passion, and finesse. It is precisely in such cases that an exceptional wine truly shines—when it is capable of expressing itself across multiple dimensions. A wine that shines with its fully developed, persistent, full-bodied, and harmonious character. It is grand, it is young—probably too young—but it is incredibly good… and perfectly balanced. For me, it is one of the greatest Alsatian wines I have ever tasted. 2025–2070