Domaine Zind-Humbrecht : Gewurztraminer "Clos Windsbuhl" 2020

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Gewurztraminer "Clos Windsbuhl" 2020 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Tasting

Appearance

This Gewurztraminer reveals a pale yellow colour, clear and brilliant, the hallmark of careful winemaking.

Nose

The nose opens with intense, powerful notes of pepper and nutmeg, accompanied by a subtle toasty touch. With aeration, the mineral imprint of the limestone emerges distinctly, before delicate exotic fruits complete this rich and complex aromatic palette.

Palate

The palate is intense, long and rich, carried by a vivacity and elegance characteristic of the Windsbuhl terroir. The wine's sweetness melts harmoniously into its structure, with acidity and minerality finely balancing the residual sugars.

Food and wine pairing

This wine will be a delight alongside spiced cuisine, such as a lamb tagine with dried fruits and mild spices, or vibrant Asian dishes combining ginger and coconut milk. It also pairs very well with soft-rind cheeses of pronounced character, such as Munster, as well as with exotic fruit desserts or Middle Eastern pastries scented with orange blossom or rose water.

Serving and cellaring

The Gewurztraminer "Clos Windsbuhl" 2020 can be enjoyed now, but it reveals its full potential with extended cellaring, evolving harmoniously over several decades depending on storage conditions.

A Gewurztraminer from Clos Windsbuhl, the limestone expression of an Alsatian monopole in Hunawihr

The estate

Founded in 1959 in Turckheim, Alsace, following the marriage of Léonard Humbrecht and Geneviève Zind, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht brings together a vineyard of just over 40 hectares spread across several Grands Crus and historic clos. Now run by Olivier Humbrecht, France's first Master of Wine, and his wife Margaret, the estate converted to biodynamic farming in the late 1990s. It is notably the sole owner of Clos Windsbuhl, one of the region's emblematic terroirs.

The vineyard

Clos Windsbuhl, a monopole of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, is located in the commune of Hunawihr in Alsace, between Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé. Set at an altitude of between 300 and 350 metres close to the Vosges forest, this south/south-east-facing hillside rests on Muschelkalk limestone soil rich in clay. The Gewurztraminer vines grown here benefit from farming that respects the terroir and from deliberately moderate yields.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes for the Gewurztraminer "Clos Windsbuhl" 2020 are hand-harvested before undergoing a long, slow pressing. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, followed by ageing on the lees in large wooden foudres, without chaptalisation. Bottling takes place after a long maturation, once the wine has reached its balance.

Grape variety

This wine is made from 100% Gewurztraminer.