Technical presentation
| Bottling : | September 2006 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 14.7° |
| Residual sugar : | 47.2 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 3.1 g/l H2SO4 / (4.7g/l Tartrique) |
| pH : | 4.2 |
| Yield : | 19.5 hl/ha |
| Average age of vines : | 42 years |
| Terroir : | Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain |
| Sweetness index : | 4 |
| Soil : | South facing, Very steep slope, Volcanique ( tufs & |
Description of the wine Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos St Urbain 2005
Gewurztraminer is the smallest grape variety represented in the Clos Saint Urbain. The higher altitude of this vineyard makes it more difficult for this grape to flower homogenously, unless it is planted right next to the river that runs only meters under the vines. The river ‘Thur’ is about 30 yards wide and is important enough to create a warmer micro climate. In October, it will also generate more humidity to help the development of botrytis/noble rot, which was quite important in 2005. The volcanic terroir of the Rangen is the only non calcareous based soil that is capable of really dominating the extravagant Gewurztraminer grape and also capable to produce wine with great ageing potential. The 2005 was harvested at very high maturity level and we came close to label it as a Vendange Tardive.
Tasting notes
01/2007 : As always, the Rangen vineyard dominates the grape variety, but this time, the flinty/smoky character is tempered with a lot of ripe white fruits and oriental spices. Definitely influence by the presence of botrytis. It is a very aromatic nose, in a way easier to understand than the 2004 vintage for example. The palate is very rich and dense, unctuous, where the sweetness is perfectly balanced with great vineyard character and power.
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.