The Alsace Legend : Domaine Zind-Humbrecht
Olivier Humbrecht, France's very first Master of Wine and one of the legendary icons behind biodynamic winemaking, has been running the renowned Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace since taking over from his parents in 1989.
Olivier's parents, Genevieve Zind and Leonard Humbrecht, founded the domain in 1959 and built it up by acquiring some of Alsace's greatest vineyard sites abondoned by many, despite the challenging, steep, low-yielding slopes. Grown up in a winemaking family, Leonard was passionate about expressing the unique terroir of each site, and was committed to finding the harmonic terroir-grape variety rapport for the production of great wines, which remains to be the guiding principle under Olivier.
Today, Olivier and his wife Margaret manage the domain, upholding its reputation as one of Alsace's leading producers. Olivier is vehemently opposed to agrochemicals, believing winemaking should prioritize respect for the land and people. Organic and biodynamic vinification is strictly employed. He has been the President of the SIVCBD (Biodyvin) since 2002. The domain has revived the mythic reputations of its exceptional, diverse terroirs, including Grand Cru sites like the Rangen de Thann (Le Clos Saint-Urbain has an average slope of 90%), Goldert in Gueberschwihr, Hengst in Wintzenheim, and Brand in Turckheim. The vineyards are each planted with a mixture of the six noble Alsace grapes – Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Sylvaner. There are also small parcels of Chardonnay and Auxerrois.
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht produces a wide range of character-driven wines that faithfully express the influence of soil, microclimate, and vintage. A team of 22 viticulturists meticulously tend to each vine throughout the growing season. They also use animal traction and their own compost to reduce the impact of mechanical compaction on the soils. Famous for low-yields, the domain crafts some of the world's finest Rieslings, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris, all aged in large, old oak casks.
Today we are doing a special offer on three of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht's wines, of which we only got a few bottles left.
1/ Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain Grand Cru 2012 - Bt | RP96
(15% off) HK$650 ▷HK$550
Intensely yellow in color and with a golden shimmer is the 2012 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain, which delivers classic Gewurz aromas along with the flinty lemon flavors of the Rangen, underlined by notes of orange blossoms. The wine is powerful and rich, really piquant and round, very aromatic, fruit intense and balanced by a brave mineral acidity. Although the sweetness is slightly less than in the 2013 successor, it is the more powerful and opulent wine. If it is the better one can only be discussed in 10-15 years. It is surely based more on fruit and texture and less on acidity, finesse and purity. I love both of them.
- 96, Stephan Reinhardt, 221, The Wine Advocate, October 2015
2/ Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain Grand Cru 2015 - Bt | RP94+
(15% off) HK$700 ▷HK$595
2015 Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain has a pure and flinty bouquet of white ripe fruit aromas. Full-bodied, this is a rich, fresh and tension-filled wine with fine yet grippy tannins and lots of salt. Very intense, yet with moderate sweetness. The finish is clear, almost dry due to its minerality.
- 94+, Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate, March 2017
3/ Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain Grand Cru 2015 - Bt | RP94-95
(15% off) HK$700 ▷HK$595
Harvested at ripe 15% potential alcohol, the golden-yellow 2015 Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain shows the purity and flintiness of its terroir combined with an unreal freshness for the 2015 vintage. On the palate this wine is exploding with tension. It is lush and vibrant, round and structured. Tasted as a sample in February 2017.
- 94-95, Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate, March 2017
Promotion period: until Jun 3, 2024
In stock now, and offered subject to final confirmation and remaining unsold. E. & O. E.
*Standard delivery conditions apply, and a surcharge will be added to orders delivering to Discovery Bay, Ma Wan and Hong Kong International Airport. Please check our delivery and storage policy for more details.