Technical presentation
| Bottling : | January 2020 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 13.2° |
| Residual sugar : | 11 g/l |
| Total acidity : | |
| pH : | 3.50 |
| Yield : | 45 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2022-2030 |
| Average age of vines : | 35 years |
| Terroir : | Grand Cru Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain |
| Sweetness index : | 2 |
| Soil : | Sedimentary volcanic rocks |
Description of the wine Pinot Gris Roche Volcanique 2018
When my father Leonard Humbrecht acquired the Clos-Saint-Urbain in 1977, only half was actually planted. For about 10 years, we worked hard to cut the shrubs, rebuilt walls and paths in order to be able to plant vines. These vines have today acquired a venerable age (35 years average) but some vintages we do prefer to vinify them separately and do not classify them as Grand Cru. Most of the time, if it isn’t a ripeness difference (dry/sweet potential) it is a difference in yield. I am the first to admit that in 2018, the difference is very small! The vines behaved very well in 2018. Surely, the roots were able to reach the richer deeper layers in the volcanic rock, ensuring a better supply of water during the very dry and hot summer. The fermentation was slightly slower than usual and the wine kept a small amount of sweetness.
Tasting notes
04/2020 : Classic Rangen rich yellow colour. The nose boasts smoky aromas, flint, crushed rocks…. It also announces a long and powerful palate. There is a clear influence of the vineyard in this wine. The finish is bold, intense, long, showing a complex salivating acidity. There is lots of energy in this wine and lots of ageing potential !
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.