EWS 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Preview

Bit of a tense start to the evening as Olivier Humbrecht was delayed at Kennedy Airport with the wine for the event. Even with the late start, the evening was a great success as M. Humbrecht is funny, informative and passionate about his craft, and many of the wines were memorable.

• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Muscat Goldert 90 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  Pale yellow. Highly aromatic nose with hints of grapefruit. Fresh with zingy acidity and good length. Elegant for being so floral. Olivier said it was rare to find a Grand Cru Muscat since the grape is finicky and difficult to market. 5 grams residual sugar. A real surprise and unique. One to hunt down.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Heimbourg 90 Points

  France, Alsace

  Reticent nose with hints of minerals and oyster shells. Sweeter on the palate than the nose would suggest. Flavors of vanilla; ripe, fleshy and quite tasty. Ollivier said this vineyard is planted in marle and limestone in a warm area on a steep slope. 9 grams residual sugar.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Windsbuhl 91 Points

  France, Alsace

  Slightly medicinal on the nose and drier than the Heimbourg. More citrusy with great purity of fruit. Very long finish and slightly hot, but this is too young to drink now, as it has no flesh on its bones yet. pH of 3.1. Olivier says the lower the pH the spikier a wine feels on the palate. Higher pH feels softer.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain 92 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  Minerally yet fleshy and full bodied. Olivier called it "smoky." Maybe. Took an entire year to ferment to dryness. pH 3.4 - 3.5.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Brand 91 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  More residual sugar than the Rangen. Spicy and round with great acidity.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Brand Vieilles Vignes 91 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  Softer, sweeter than the Brand bottling. 18 grams residual sugar.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl 88 Points

  France, Alsace

  No nose to speak of. This is tight, bright and acidic. Apparently 5%-10% of the grapes had botrytis. The wine has 9 grams residual sugar but is just too young to drink now. Should merit a higher score in 5 years.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain 90 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  A bit of sour/sulphur on nose but no hint on the palate. Honeyed and sweet. 15% botrytis.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Hengst 89 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  Beautiful nose of honey and anise. A little one-dimensional but still impressive.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain 90 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  Softer, more aromatic than the Hengst with a subtle nose. More complex and spicy.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Goldert 88 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  Light on its feet, with a transparent quality like iced tea. Honeyed, almost ethereal, but less complex than the Rangen.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl 91 Points

  France, Alsace

  Wow. A great combination of spice with a stealthy acidic left on the finish. This one's going in the cellar when I can find some.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Hengst Sélection de Grains Nobles 93 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  Nose of sweet and sour sauce but in the glass this is scary good. Honey and apricot...just a winner. 1000 1/2 bottles made and scarce as a hen's tooth. WOTN.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Goldert Sélection de Grains Nobles 89 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  Almost looked oily in the glass. Nose not as aromatic as the Hengst. Less complex, but the Hengst was a tough act to follow. Probably too young to judge. 1200 1/2 bottles made.

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• 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Sélection de Grains Nobles 88 Points

  France, Alsace

  The score reflects a wine too young to judge now. Very high acidity, and lacks the romance of the Hengst. 15 years from now could be a whole other story. 1200 1/2 bottles made.

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