One of the best of Alsatian dry Muscats. Deftly crafted, lifted, lilies and blossom. Impressively concentrated and ripe, but so fine, so delicate.

A very Alsatian-styled Chardonnay, and really racy, clean and pure in 2022. The Clos Windsbuhl vineyard was acquired by Domaine Zind-Humbrecht at the end of 1987. They realized quickly that some parts needed to be replanted in order to choose either a better suited grape variety/root stock combination and/or change the density of plantation. The part of the Clos the nearest to the forest had to be replanted. While considering the options, they decided to choose slightly earlier ripening cultivars to compensate for the cooling effect of the nearby forest. Instead of planting the classic combination of Auxerrois/Pinot-Blanc, they replaced the latter with Chardonnay. Unfortunately, Chardonnay isn’t permitted for still wines in Alsace, so we have to declassify this wine to Vin de France every year. Chardonnay is part of the Pinot family, but compared to Pinot-Blanc can produce lower yields and retain beautiful acidity on limestone geology of the Windsbuhl. In 2019, production was actually quite small, so we also added a small percentage of Pinot-Gris in the blend that fermented bone dry. Pale yellow colour. The nose shows the strong limestone influence: mineral, stone driven, citrus fruits and some white fruits (peach) after some aeration. The wine fermented in a large recent oak cask (foudre) and was on full lees until bottling. The palate is quite strict, bone dry, with a racy sapid acidity that gives a juicy texture on the finish. The wine has a nice concentration, but because it is bone dry with a ripe acidity, it feels elegant and delicate.

This is an astonishing and almost perfect expression of Gewurztraminer; floral, smoky and spicy, then terrific concentration and balance and length, with some juicy sweetness detectable and adding to the enjoyment of the whole. Very, very fine. The sedimentary limestone geology, mostly located on the Vosges mountains foothills in Alsace, has always been the prime choice for producing long lived and structured Gewurztraminer wines. The presence of clay, more or less important, brings a cooler element in the soil, slowing down the ripeness process and preserving better acidity. The presence of limestone influences the aromatic profile and texture of the wine. They become more spicy, less floral, with a recognisable tighter tannic structure so crucial for the balance of the wine. Gewurztraminer, more than any other in Alsace, requires an accomplished skin ripeness. Failing so can end up in an over aromatic, not complex and bitter wine. The quality of the terroir will help greatly, but so does harvesting later! Since the acidity is naturally low, harvesting later isn’t affecting the wine as much as other grapes that would suffer more from acidity loss. All the grapes going into this wine are sourced from the estate's top single vineyards or Grands Crus, where they use the 'younger' vines. Pale yellow gold colour. The nose is very expressive showing intense exotic fruits aromas (litchi, mango, passion fruit, grapefruit…). It sounds like a cliché, but the wine is actually elegant and racy. The palate is fresh, quite tense and vibrant. Nice sweetness on the finish very well balance by ripe tannins. This is a classic medium sweet Gewurztraminer that shows that it originates from good vineyards. It can be enjoyed young but will develop more complexity (spiciness) with age.

When Zind-Humbrecht acquired the Clos-Saint-Urbain vineyard on the Grand Cru Rangen in 1977, about half of the land wasn’t under vines and needed to be planted. This very steep vineyard requires a lot of hard manual work and some surfaces were left abandoned in the middle of the 20th century. Most vintages, the vines planted in the 70s and 80s are separated from the very old vines that qualify as Grand Cru. This wine clearly show all the originality of a volcanic geology which is unique in Alsace. They are also cultivated the exact same way as the older vines (ploughing with a winch for example). The biggest difference would be on the crop size. The Roche Volcanique is made with low yields, but the older vines produce even less! For these ‘younger vines’ they aim for very healthy grapes (no noble rot) in order to achieve a dry wine. Bright pale-yellow colour. Expressive fruity and smoky nose (smoked ham, grilled hazelnuts). The palate has a velvety texture, lots of depth and length without too much power. Gentle balance showing a saline acidity on the finish. Very easy wine to enjoy today. Dry, but with a certain softness due to a good dry extract that brings volume on the palate. Obviously Rangen in taste…

Grapes for this Pinot Gris were sourced from selected small plots in the Hunawihr vineyards, which lie at an altitude of 250-300 metres above sea level. On the palate, elegant flavours of pear are supported with a subtle smokiness.

Sheltered from oceanic influence by the Vosges Mountains, the Alsace wine region enjoys practically the lowest rainfall in France (only 400-500mm per year) and is blessed with a semi-continental climate, sunny, hotand dry. These optimal weather conditions, along with a nice and cool fall season, allow the grapes to ripen slowly and to develop an amazing complexity of aromas. Overt Riesling character at once, with baked tertiary fruit. Evolving. A touch musky. Great balance at 90g/l RS. Not cloying, rather Tarte au Citron. Hugely persistent.

Pale yellow colour. Expressive Riesling nose typical from limestone origin: citrus, light mineral notes, stony flavours, honey. Vivacious palate, crisp, amazing acidity and freshness. This is a very classic Roche Calcaire that finishes bone dry with a lacy texture. This wine will still need some time to open up and it is highly recommended to decant it in the first years after bottling.

Wow what a wonderful wine with a fantastic nose. Ripe fruits mingle with dried fruits with port like raisin and plum on the nose. Palate changes somehow and is much subtler, layered and expansive. Red apple, dried apricot, candied orange rind, Meyer lemon, smoke...it just keeps revealing itself further with this persisting mineral backdrop. Loved it!!!

The late Bruno and his son François realised a dream ten years ago with the final purchase of a plot of steep ‘garrigue’ in the heart of the Grand Cru Pfersigberg. They now have amassed 1½ hectares in one plot. Bruno had secretly been buying parcels of this land for the last 30 years. Much hard work was necessary, in clearing the forest and then terracing the very steep slopes. This great vineyard is planted with Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris and the fruit was used for the first time in 2004. In 2004 François Sorg built a temperature controlled winery just outside the village. François says he now has time to think instead of climbing up and down ladders and stairs. The wines were always first division but now they have that extra dimension.

Bright pale-yellow colour. Discreet nose which is slowly opening on fresh citrus fruits and light smoky aromas, a characteristic often found on this grape variety. This is almost a Riesling like nose with lots of precision and tension. Palate is dry and is supported by a ripe acidity. The finish shows an enjoyable velvety and elegant mouthfeel with again fresh white fruits flavours. The Windsbuhl character shows strongly in this wine and will allow for a nice evolution over the next few years.

Fruity and floral on the nose with crispiness and medium+ acidity as a contrast on the palate. Outstanding Riesling that is several steps ahead of any other regular/basic house Riesling. Citrus, grapefruit, hints of honey and minerals. Vegan, Biodynamic agriculture

Rolly-Gassmann is a domaine like no other and has a unique style. It is located at Rorschwihr, a sleepy village on the northern rim of Haut-Rhin. The vineyards are located in Rorschwihr and the neighbouring Rodern and Bergheim. The wines are small masterpieces with very good definition. The colour is vibrant red and the aroma is full of ripe red forest berries. The taste is concentrated and nicely full-bodied with nuances of pepper, raspberry and blueberry.

The nose reminds of the aromas in the vineyard during flowering. It expresses delicate flowers, some fruits, never overpowering, just like a very delicate perfume. The palate follows perfectly with a delicate structure, almost aerial and lingers on for a long time. Dry finish with the classic varietal tannic structure but also a certain roundness induced by the fruity flavour of the wine. The mouth feels like soft velvet and is already so easy to enjoy. This wine will go with seafood, salads, crab, fish dishes.

Form the marl and calcareous soils of Rorschwihr, the Terroir des Châteaux Forts is a blend of 25% Gewürztraminer, 40% Auxerrois and the rest Pinot Gris and Riesling. The wine has a clear, golden shimmering citrus color and offers a clear and delicate bouquet with flinty/earthy aromas. Round, fresh and piquant, this is a a refreshing, elegant and well-structured white from 20- to 40-year-old vines. There is a lovely finesse and piquancy, while the finish is firm, intense, salty and quite long. An excellent wine at a very reasonable price.. A must with asparagus!

Rolly-Gassmann is a domaine like no other and has a unique style. It is located at Rorschwihr, a sleepy village on the northern rim of Haut-Rhin. The vineyards are located in Rorschwihr and the neighbouring Rodern and Bergheim. The wines are small masterpieces with very good definition. They all carry the signature of Rolly-Gassmann, a certain shameless, velvety sweetness. The fruit is rich and manages to balance the fruit with a vibrant acidity to form wines that melt on the palate.

All the vineyards used to produce this wine are located in the Herrenweg area in Turckheim and were planted in the 80s and early 90s. Young vines on these gravelly, warm and well drained soils can be very vigorous and for the Pinot-Gris grape it often means an evolution towards botrytis or noble rot. Not necessarily a default, but leading to the production of richer/sweeter wines. Now, the vines start to show much more maturity and are entering gradually in their adulthood, showing more reasonable vigour. It means that it is easier to control the botrytis development and also obtain purer and drier style of wines.

Fruity and floral on the nose with crispiness and medium+ acidity as a contrast on the palate. Outstanding Riesling that is several steps ahead of any other regular/basic house Riesling. Citrus, grapefruit, hints of honey and minerals. Vegan, Biodynamic agriculture

Wonderfully textured, creamy, spicy big squishy cuddle of a wine. Smells of poached pears with spices and a dollop of rich double cream. A crystallised ginger sweet/heat is bounded by citrus acidity. What a piece of work at the price. Classic cheese wine.

Rolly-Gassmann is a domaine like no other and has a unique style. It is located at Rorschwihr, a sleepy village on the northern rim of Haut-Rhin. The vineyards are located in Rorschwihr and the neighbouring Rodern and Bergheim. The wines are small masterpieces with very good definition. They all carry the signature of Rolly-Gassmann, a certain shameless, velvety sweetness. The fruit is rich and manages to balance the fruit with a vibrant acidity to form wines that melt on the palate.

Some citrus, pear and white flowers perfumes develop on the nose. The rich aromas continue through the mid-palate. A long lasting wine, with a refreshing finish. Very versatile wine for a range of fish, chicken and salad dishes.

The nose shows subtle floral notes, typical of the Gewurztraminer grape variety, but also complex, slightly reductive, mineral, leather and spicy/peppery aromas. It almost feels like the scent one would get after a rainfall on the pebbles of this vineyard. It will benefit from air (carafe) and will continue to open up with age. The palate is vigorous, elegant and full of energy. Bone dry, with a velvety tannic texture, the palate shows an almost light red wine structure with a salivating finish. This wine will be excellent with food (grilled fish, prawns, light spicy food).

What a joy, and a rare treat. Very old vine Pinot Gris is quite a rarity across Alsace. Mature Pinot Gris wines develop gorgeous nutty creamy flavours over time - but that's a long time to wait. Strangely such a wine, although quite young, made from ancient vines, seems to offer some of the same complexity. Ripe orchard fruits on the nose, oily creamy spicy flavours to follow. full bodied. What a food wine!

The Schoenenbourg Grand Cru dominates Riquewihr, the village next to Hunawihr. This marl-limestone and gypsum hillside favours Riesling. Very fruity; stone fruit, peach, and apricot forward. 8-10g/l RS. Persistent. Soft.

An unusual, but terrific, blend showing off Alsace's grape varieties in a supergroup line up. The spiciness of Gewurz; the grapiness of Muscat; the body of Pinot Gris; the backbone of Riesling; and the refreshing character of Sylvaner. The resulting wine is fresh and characterful. Aroma and flavours of lemon, tropical fruit and white peaches, floral notes and petroleum. Additional flavours on the palate of pineapple and ground white pepper. Dry medium plus bodied wine. Good length. A super complex wine and fabulous value. Vegan, Biodynamic agriculture

An elegant and restrained Pinot Noir from Alsace, typically youthful and filled with summer berries, cherries and slightly warmer notes. This carries over to the palate with refreshing acidity balanced by the quality of fruit and the ever so soft tannins.

Lovely complex nose, with notes of exotic fruits (lychee, mango) and white pepper. The mouth is full and very long. This is a wine with good freshness from lingering acidity balanced with a touch of residual sugar on the finish.

I am always impressed with the quality and drinkability of this lovely Pinot Blanc from one of France's best Cooperative wine companies. The nose is fresh with a little crisp apple and hints of apricot and yellow plum. The typically high acidity pairs well with the slight residual sugars and the flavours following from the nose. The finish is dry and dominated by more apricot.

So expressive of Sorg style and skill. Ancient-vine Sylvaner in super-Alsace guise: creamy, floral, ginger-spiced.

Rolly-Gassmann is a domaine like no other and has a unique style. It is located at Rorschwihr, a sleepy village on the northern rim of Haut-Rhin. The vineyards are located in Rorschwihr and the neighbouring Rodern and Bergheim. The wines are small masterpieces with very good definition. They all carry the signature of Rolly-Gassmann, a certain shameless, velvety sweetness. The fruit is rich and manages to balance the fruit with a vibrant acidity to form wines that melt on the palate. From clay/calcareous marl soils from Rorschwihr, the golden-yellow Gewurztraminer opens with a beautifully clear, intense and aromatic, very elegant and already mineral and complex nose. Full-bodied, highly elegant and perfectly balanced, with stimulating salinity and grip, this is a gorgeous, well-concentrated Gewurz with a long and elegant, highly seductive finish

Rolly-Gassmann is a domaine like no other and has a unique style. It is located at Rorschwihr, a sleepy village on the northern rim of Haut-Rhin. The vineyards are located in Rorschwihr and the neighbouring Rodern and Bergheim. The wines are small masterpieces with very good definition. They all carry the signature of Rolly-Gassmann, a certain shameless, velvety sweetness. The fruit is rich and manages to balance the fruit with a vibrant acidity to form wines that melt on the palate.