Domaine Zind-Humbrecht - Alsace Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Sélection de Grains Nobles 2007 (37.5 cl)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A magnificent wine with a strong character, Pinot Gris in 2007 has high acidity and a mellow character that finishes with exotic fruits. The freshness of this wine is reminiscent of some late-harvest Rieslings. Keep it to reveal its full complexity.

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:

Zind-Humbrecht's Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Sélection de Grains Nobles 2007, at 9.5% alcohol, is not one of those nectars (two of which were also produced at this estate in 2007) that have barely reached the legal threshold to be considered wine. In some respects, however, it is akin to Eszcencia. Its enormous residual sugar content and the highest acidity of the vintage are less noticeable on the palate than on paper, and it's almost light and viscous to the touch. Marzipan, apricot jam and honey, tinged with mint and cinnamon, are the main players in a scene that, for now, is as remarkable as its cast. The airy purity of this wine is extraordinary, but it will take years to evolve, and a lifespan of three decades or more should be considered.

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

About the wine:

Two top-flight SGNs in Gewurztraminer (Grand Cru Hengst) and Pinot Gris (Jebsal) round off an exceptional range offering truly astounding levels of concentration and balance.

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.

Vinous

About the wine:

(9.5% alcohol, 227 g/l residual sugar) Deep, brilliant yellow color. Great purity and elegance of very botrytized aromas of honey, menthol, aromatic herbs and mint. Silky on the attack, then incredibly concentrated and glycerinized on the mid-palate; as mellow as a solid wine, but with an exhilarating elegance that makes it impossible to spit out. An incredible wine, endless and totally unavoidable, currently showing more structure than fruit. It's even sweeter on the finish than its 227 g/l residual sugar suggests, as there's no sign of alcohol. I'd put it aside for 10 to 15 years.

James Suckling