Technical presentation
| Bottling : | September 2014 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 13.5° |
| Residual sugar : | 42.0 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 3.0 g/l H2SO4 (4.5 g/l Acide Tartrique) |
| pH : | 3.7 |
| Yield : | 36 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2018-2038+ |
| Average age of vines : | 34 years |
| Terroir : | Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain |
| Sweetness index : | 4 |
| Soil : | , , Sedimentary volcanic rocks (Tuffs & Grauwake) |
Description of the wine Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Rangen from Thann Clos Saint Urbain 2013
The Gewurztraminer only represents a small portion (0.5ha) of the Clos-Saint-Urbain (5.5ha) because it is only planted on the lower part of the vineyard. Despite a steep south facing, the Rangen is located at the entrance of a cold valley at a higher altitude. The valley winds can still be quite cold in June and could affect the flowering of this fragile grape. The vines at the bottom of the slope benefit from the heat gradient produced by the river Thur and are less exposed to the winds. The mineral content of the volcanic soil is also more important at the bottom due to natural migration down the slope. Gewurztraminer is a grape that benefits also from a slightly higher pH in the soil. Despite a late ripeness, the Rangen can reach high levels of concentration like in 2013.
Tasting notes
03/2015 : The nose is still tight and needs time to express the complex smoky and gunflint Rangen character. The palate shows great structure and power with ashes, slate and peppery aromas. The harmony of the 2013 vintage is built around the acidity, tannins and a medium sweetness. Elegant and restraint finish. Fabulous and age worthy Rangen.
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.