Technical presentation
| Bottling : | March 2015 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 13° |
| Residual sugar : | 34.0 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 3.5 g/l H2SO4 / (5.4g/l Tartrique) |
| pH : | 3.5 |
| Yield : | 35 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2016-2033+ |
| Average age of vines : | 43 years |
| Terroir : | Clos Windsbuhl |
| Sweetness index : | 4 |
| Soil : | Muschelkalk calcareous, South/South East facing |
Description of the wine Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl 2013
The Windsbuhl was created in the 14th century while belonging to the Habsburg (Austrian-Hungarian Empire). It was part of large hunting estate. The vineyard lies on top of the village of Hunawihr on a small calcareous hill (6.5ha) with a facing that turns from east to south on a medium to steep slope. The Windsbuhl is characterized by a late ripening climate which explains the usual good acidity balance and delicate texture of the wines, reinforced by the rocky limestone soil. Gewurztraminer wasn’t an obvious choice here, and probably without the presence of old vines already planted when we acquired this Clos in 1987, we couldn’t have guessed how successful it can be. The 2013 was harvested with little noble rot but good ripeness/acidity balance. The fermentation left some sweetness in the wine.
Tasting notes
03/2015 : Elegant fresh and exotic nose (a combination of citrus, litchi fruits and floral aromas). No excess and complex. Only a great vineyard can achieve this level of intensity for Gewurztraminer without making the wine taste simple. The palate has a medium power and the acidity brings the structure necessary to create a perfect harmony. Long finish with no excessive weight. This wine shows a complex simplicity and is dangerously likeable at this early stage.
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.