Technical presentation
| Bottling : | July 2007 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 16° |
| Residual sugar : | 37.7 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 4.9 g/l H2SO4 (7.5 g/l Tartrique) |
| pH : | 4.0 |
| Yield : | 25 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2010-2031+ |
| Average age of vines : | 43 years |
| Terroir : | Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain |
| Sweetness index : | VT |
| Soil : | Sedimentary volcanic rocks (Tuffs & Grauwake), South facing, Steep slope |
Description of the wine Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain 2006 - Vendange Tardive
Describing the Pinot Gris and Riesling from the Rangen vineyard, I already explained that 2006 was an extreme vintage that produced some extreme styled wines. This Gewurztraminer is no different. The botrytis was very intense and dry, to the point that some grapes looked like torrified coffee beans. When the concentrated botrytis is associated to the strong volcanic character of the Rangen, the result can be quite amazing and will destabilize most tasters. The 2006, despite being drier, goes in the direction of the 1998 or 1993 vintage. The fermentation was slow, but Rangen wild yeasts are ferocious and not ashamed to go far, so expect a powerful wine !
Tasting notes
01/2008 : The nose is a dense combination of roasted beans, flinty flavours and stone powder. Where are the Gewurztraminer flavours? Not there yet, certainly hiding behind the huge structure of the wine. It wouldn’t surprise me if they never show up, such is the strong influence of this terroir. The palate is very long, well structured, packed with minerals and salty influence. Do not expect a sweet VT, as this wine appears drier than the numbers would suggest (like an Indice 3).
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.