Domaine Zind-Humbrecht - Alsace Gewurztraminer Clos de Windsbuhl 2011

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Even purer than Heimbourg, with fine bitters stretching out the finish, lots of class.

About the domain :

For three decades one of the models of Alsatian viticulture, this estate tells the story of the Humbrecht family. Léonard, the founder, was a visionary who acquired the best terroirs in the region, including the famous Rangen. Olivier, his son, brilliantly introduced biodynamic principles in the 1990s. And today, Pierre-Émile, who arrived at the domaine with the very complicated 2021 vintage, and who is continuing their work, particularly on the latest Sommerberg acquisitions.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

With virtually the same alcohol and residual sugar levels as its Heimbourg counterpart, the Zind-Humbrecht 2011 Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl is perhaps even more indicative of the benefits of a cool, windy, chalky site in a vintage where extremely high must weights were the price to pay for a truly full-flavored Gewurztraminer. Smoked meats, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lychee, pineapple and the decadent scent of rose and lily combine to create a seductive aroma and a lush, creamy, multi-faceted palate. Not only is the fresh fruit surprisingly juicy on the finish, but the wine also has surprising buoyancy for a wine grading close to 14% alcohol, and a hint of salinity stimulates the salivary glands while perfectly complementing the liquid florality and aura of caramelization that also emerge. There's even a suggestion of chalk and stone to fuse this grandiose tribute to its site, grape variety and producer. The more it is exposed to the air, the more it reveals its charm. We can expect impressive results at least until 2030.

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

About the wine:

Fans of Gewurztraminer will be delighted by the full-bodied Clos Windsbuhl, balanced by a long finish.

About the domain :

A tireless ambassador for his wines and the region, Olivier Humbrecht, the first Frenchman to hold the Master of Wine degree, has long understood the importance of work in the vineyard. He converted the estate to biodynamic viticulture in 1999, of which he is one of the best ambassadors, being also president of the Biodyvin label. This type of cultivation has enabled him to get rid of botrytis and reduce alcohol levels. The wines have evolved over the years and now assert a resolutely dry style, and the large tuns patinate them several meters underground. Like all great Alsace wines, they come into their own after a few years or decades of cellaring. Clos Windsbuhl is a must-have, and Rangen de Thann takes its place over time. Pierre-Emile, the son of Pierre-Emile, the son of Olivier, has just joined the domaine. The excellence of this production, respected by all, has earned this emblematic estate a fourth star in our guide's pantheon.

Wine Spectator

James Suckling