I was excited when I heard that we would be popping one of my favorite varietals at our Sokolin tasting this evening, a Riesling. I was even more excited when I learned that it would be a 2008 Zind Humbrecht, one of the most well known and highly respected producers of Alsacian wines.
The Humbrecht family has been producing outstanding Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris wines since 1959. It is run by a father and son team, however in recent years the accomplished son Olivier has taken more control of the estate. The men focus on producing wines that are an extraordinary example of the unique terroir in the region.
The family owns plots in some of the most famous parcels in the region: the Brand, the Hengst, the Goldert, the Herrenweg, the Clos Hauserer, the Clos Windsbuhl and the Clos St-Urbain.
Zind Humbrecht wines are perhaps the most 'user friendly' of the sometimes intimidatingly confusing Alsacian wines, which span the range from very dry to very sweet. Unless you have done your homework and memorized the sweetness scale, a handy numerical system is affixed to each Humbrecht label, to aid in a customer's selection. An Indice "indicates" the level of sweetness on the palate; it takes into consideration sweetness, acidity, alcohol and overall structure.
1 = Technically dry or tasting dry.
2 = Not technically dry but sweetness not apparent on palate.
3 = Medium sweetness, especially apparent in young wine, less with ageing.
4 = Sweet wine.
5 = High sweetness, VT (late harvest) in richness without the usual botrytis.
We've been talking about these 08s for awhile now, and I couldn't wait to give one a try. I loved the Riesling, which has an indice of 1: It has the minerality and crisp edge that I look for in a white wine, sharp acidity, along with some succulent, mouth watering peach and orange blossom notes. For $22.99 per bottle, this wine goes above and beyond value for me.
2008 Zind Humbrecht Riesling
"A well-cut Riesling, offering a salty mineral note and laserlike acidity that defines the quince, yellow peach and floral notes. This packs a lot of flavor into an elegant and light-weight package. Drink now through 2022." 1,000 cases made.
92 pts Wine Spectator
$22.99/btl