Technical presentation
| Bottling : | January 2020 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 13.4° |
| Residual sugar : | 2.7 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 3.8 g/l H2SO4 / (5.8g/l Tartrique) |
| pH : | 3.10 |
| Yield : | 26 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2023-2045+ |
| Average age of vines : | 56 years |
| Terroir : | Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain |
| Sweetness index : | 1 |
| Soil : | Sedimentary volcanic rocks |
Description of the wine Riesling Grand Cru Rangen from Thann Clos-Saint-Urbain 2018
The Rangen is the southernmost Grand Cru vineyard in Alsace. However, going south also means a higher altitude. In comparison, the Rangen would actually sit above the Brand in Turckheim! A higher altitude means also cooler temperatures. The cooler weather coming down the valley also explain why this vineyard bud-breaks so late. It is surprising, because the south exposure and the steepness of the slope (90%+) indicate a solar exposition. The soil is made of compacted volcanic ash: hard angular rocks, and like many metamorphic rocks, it contains elements that would produce fine clay when broken down by the soil cultivation and the action of the micro-orgnisms. This clay does migrate deep into the soil through cracks in the mother rock. As the vine ages, the roots go deeper and eventually can find all the nutrients and water reserve constituted by these clay. The volcanic rock also contains an unusual amount of minerals, probably at the origin of the smoky and flinty character of the Rangen wines and their strong saline taste. The grapes were spectacular in 2018. Perfect ripeness, but also perfect fermentation. This vineyard has an unmistakable energy and is capable to transfer it to the wine.
Tasting notes
04/2020 : Intense yellow colour. The Rangen vineyard influence is so recognisable here. The nose is intense, smoky, flinty. There is volcanic dust on the nose. We realize that this is just a way of speaking, but this is the feeling one would get by smelling this wine! The wine covers the palate with a rich saline racy texture. This is an intense and long wine. The acidity kicks in on the finish which is also very dry. Fantastic Rangen! And the more time spend to discover it, the more comes out of the glass. It has so much to say…
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.