Technical presentation
| Bottling : | February 2011 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 13° |
| Residual sugar : | 16.0 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 4.2 g/l H2SO4 (6.4 g/l Acide Tartrique) |
| pH : | 3.1 |
| Yield : | 40 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2014-2029+ |
| Average age of vines : | 35 years |
| Terroir : | Clos Windsbuhl |
| Sweetness index : | 2 |
| Soil : | Muschelkalk calcareous, South/South East facing |
Description of the wine Riesling Clos Windsbuhl 2009
The Clos Windsbuhl benefits from a late ripening climate, enhanced by the proximity of the forest and higher altitude. These elements were important in 2009 as they allowed this vineyard to keep cooler temperatures and preserve elegance in the wines, while still harvested later. The rocky calcareous soil, relatively poor, also allows for delicate style wines, which is an important criteria for the Riesling grape variety. The 2009 grapes were harvested very healthy, with good acidity and surprisingly low pH (which guarantees a forceful acidity). The wine fermented over 13 months but eventually kept some residual sweetness. This was the balance eventually desired by the natural yeasts and it is impossible to change it without loosing the vineyard characteristics. This was also the last Riesling vineyard to be harvested on the estate in 2009.
Tasting notes
02/2011 : The nose shows refined limestone character, still slightly closed but one can guess the almond, peach and stony aromas. The palate is elegant, almost easy with some well integrated sweetness. Everything should fall into place nicely after a couple years and the Windsbuhl 2009 will be very expressive. There is a sensation of full maturity in this wine, well controlled by the acidity that lifts up the finish. A wine to keep…
The Clos Windsbuhl of Hunawihr
The altitude of the vineyard coupled with Hunawihr’s tardy climate means that the Clos Windsbuhl is often one of the last of our vineyards to be harvested. This explains the aromatic quality of the Clos’ wines and the consistent balance of acidity, a guarantee of good ageing. Although often harvested late, the Windsbuhl grapes are only rarely botryitized, doubtless due to the altitude of the vineyard, but nevertheless often reach high levels of maturity.