Technical presentation
| Bottling : | September 2005 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 14.2° |
| Residual sugar : | 6 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 3.7 g/l H2SO4 (5.7 g/l Tartrique) |
| pH : | 3.55 |
| Yield : | 36 hl/ha |
| Average age of vines : | 42 years |
| Terroir : | Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain |
| Sweetness index : | 1 |
| Soil : | Sedimentary volcanic rocks, South facing, Very steep slope |
Description of the wine Riesling Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos St Urbain 2004
The Clos-Saint-Urbain Rangen vineyard is located in the most southern village in Alsace on the wine road. The climate is in fact much cooler, due to the proximity of the Vosges mountains and a higher altitude (this was the last vineyard to complete flowering in 2004). The very steep (90% average) slope and the dark volcanic rocks help to warm up the soil of this incredible vineyard. In September and October, the Rangen is then able to catch up with the other vineyards and sometimes even overtake them. The natural low yields, even in 2004, also explain some of the power often reached in the wines from this vineyard. The 2004 was harvested very ripe, but unlike most other Rieslings, it managed to ferment quickly all its sugars.
Tasting notes
01/2006 : The nose is a true signature of the volcanic soil: strong powerful earthy, flinty and mineral aromatics. It is impossible to confuse it with any other Riesling. The palate is intense, long, showing perhaps more warmth due to the alcohol, but again, well balanced with a nice ripe acidity, that leaves the palate dry and steely.
The Clos Saint Urbain, Grand Cru Rangen from Thann
The Rangen de Thann is the most southerly of the Alsace vineyards. In his book « Where Alsace wines ripen », Henry Riegert writes: « from the Middle Ages those wines which ripen on the Rangen hillside figure amongst the most famous growths of the whole vineyard region ». The Grand Cru Rangen de Thann, is situated at the exit of the valley, overlooking the village of Thann with the river Thur passing at the foot of the slope.