Technical presentation
| Bottling : | February 2018 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 12° |
| Residual sugar : | 3.5 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 4.9 g/l H2SO4 (7.5 g/l Tartrique) |
| pH : | 3.0 |
| Yield : | 38 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2021-2041+ |
| Average age of vines : | 42 years |
| Terroir : | Clos Windsbuhl |
| Sweetness index : | 1 |
| Soil : | Medium to steep slope, Muschelkalk calcareous, South East facing, South facing |
Description of the wine Riesling Clos Windsbuhl 2016
The Clos Winsdbuhl lies on an ancient limestone substratum of the Trias (Muschelkalk). It dominates the plain of Alsace at the edge of the Vosges and benefits from a late climate. In 2016, the Riesling on this vineyard was harvested 4 weeks after the Grand Cru Brand in Turckheim. The 2016 vintage had accentuated the late character of the cru. It is always difficult to explain how a soil can influence the personality of a wine, but the richness in magnesium of the Windsbuhl can explain a certain 'grain' in the mouth and a sapid acidity. This lively structure is also very often the main reason for a very slow fermentation, which can keep residual sugars if the maturity is too high. This was not the case in 2016, as the fermentation went all the way through.
Tasting notes
02/2018 : Pale greenish yellow color. The nose is subdued and takes time to open up with fresh citrus aromas and a slight reduction from aging. The wine is still tight in the mouth and on its reserve. It is however easy to perceive the great potential of this wine. The palate reveals a delicate structure on a saline and tense finish. The wine tastes very dry, the acidity is complex and brings a beautiful elegance to the whole. One could describe this wine as aristocratic! Evolving slowly in the glass, it bodes well for a good ageing.
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.