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, the 2007 Pinot Gris boasts high acidity and a smooth profile that finishes with notes of exotic fruit. This wine, which has excellent aging potential, may remind one of certain late-harvest Rieslings due to its freshness. It should be cellared to allow its full complexity to unfold.

About the estate:

For three decades, this estate has been a model of Alsatian viticulture, telling the story of the Humbrecht family. Léonard, the founder, was a visionary who acquired the region’s finest terroirs, including the famous Rangen. His son, Olivier, brilliantly introduced the principles of biodynamics as early as the 1990s. And today, Pierre-Émile, who joined the estate during the very challenging 2021 vintage, continues their legacy, particularly with the latest acquisitions on the Sommerberg.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Zind-Humbrecht’s 2007 Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Sélection de Grains Nobles, with an alcohol content of 9.5%, is not one of those nectars (two of which were also produced at this estate in 2007) that barely meet the legal threshold to be considered wine. In some respects, however, it resembles the Eszcencia. Its enormous residual sugar content and the highest acidity of the vintage are less noticeable on the palate than on paper, and it feels 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 ethereal purity of this wine is extraordinary, but it will take years to develop, and a lifespan of three decades or more should be anticipated.

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

About the wine:

Two top-tier SGNs—a Gewürztraminer (Hengst Grand Cru) and a Pinot Gris (Jebsal)—round out an exceptional lineup that offers truly astonishing levels of concentration and balance.

About the estate:

An tireless ambassador for his wines and the region, Olivier Humbrecht—the first Frenchman to earn the title of Master of Wine—has long understood the importance of vineyard work. He converted the estate to biodynamic farming in 1999 and is one of its leading advocates, serving as president of the Biodyvin label. This approach has allowed him to avoid botrytis and reduce alcohol levels. The wines have evolved over the years and now exhibit a decidedly dry style, with the large casks aging them several meters underground. Like all great Alsace wines, they reach their full potential after a few years or decades of aging. The Clos Windsbuhl is a must-try, and the Rangen de Thann grows in prominence with time. Pierre-Emile, Olivier’s son, has just joined the estate. The excellence of this production, respected by all, allows this iconic property to enter the pantheon of our guide with a fourth star.

Vinous

About the wine:

(9.5% ABV, 227 g/L residual sugar) A deep, brilliant yellow color. Great purity and elegance in the heavily botrytized aromas of honey, menthol, aromatic herbs, and mint. A silky attack, followed by incredible concentration and glycerin on the mid-palate; as mellow as a full-bodied wine, yet with an exhilarating elegance that makes it impossible to spit out. An incredible, endless, and completely unevolved wine that currently exhibits more structure than fruit. It is even sweeter on the finish than its residual sugar level of 227 g/L would suggest, as there is no hint of alcohol. I would set it aside for 10 to 15 years.

James Suckling