Technical presentation
| Bottling : | August 2013 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 14.5° |
| Residual sugar : | 33.0 g/l |
| pH : | 3.9 |
| Yield : | 32 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2017-2042+ |
| Average age of vines : | 33 years |
| Terroir : | Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain |
| Sweetness index : | 3 |
| Soil : | Sedimentary volcanic rocks (Tuffs & Grauwake), South facing, Very steep slope |
Description of the wine Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Rangen from Thann Clos Saint Urbain 2012
The Gewurztraminer grape variety is planted on two small vineyards, right above the Thur river that runs at the bottom of the steep Grand Cru. Despite an appearance of warmth and intense sun exposure, the Rangen actually is quite high in altitude and the cold winds running down the narrow valley make it difficult for this grape to achieve perfect ripeness. The influence of the water (sun reflexion and heat storage) does help a lot. Gewurztraminer is often at its best on limestone vineyard, mostly for the structure (acidity) and more complex aromatics (less floral) achieved on richer soil, but the volcanic soil of the Rangen shows how this extravagant grape can be dominated by the vineyard.
Tasting notes
02/2014 : Wet stones, light smoke, the fruity citrusy aromas so typical of 2012 are here minimized to just a brief whiff. Powerful and intense, the nose is the true signature of this forceful vineyard, capable to convey to the palate a vibrant energy. This wine should taste big and powerful with obvious sweetness, but in this late ripening vintage, there is an elegance and charm that makes this wine precociously enjoyable. The finish shows tannins and mouthwatering structure. It begs to age or at least to breathe a really long time before service.
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.