Technical presentation
| Bottling : | August 2020 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 13.1° |
| Residual sugar : | 35.6 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 4. g/l H2SO4 (6.4 g/l Acide Tartrique) |
| pH : | 3.36 |
| Yield : | 26 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2024-2049+ |
| Average age of vines : | 49 years |
| Terroir : | Clos Windsbuhl |
| Sweetness index : | 4 |
| Soil : | Muschelkalk calcareous |
Description of the wine Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl 2019
The Clos Windsbuhl is located on the top of the village of Hunawihr, on a very interesting limestone geology which is often present in many of the top vineyards of the area. The Muschelkalk is a calcareous rock from the Trias period, containing a lot of sea shells and rich in magnesium. It is often referred to as ‘Dolomitic’ limestone. The topsoil is thin, the vines grow quickly on the poor mother rock. Limestone soils tend to be ‘cooler’ but not in this situation. The slope and orientation of the vineyard bring enough warmth to allow the soil to warm up sufficiently for this grape variety that needs it. However, because the Windsbuhl is in higher altitude and close to the forest, there is a natural cooler influence on all the wines. The Gewurztraminer will ripen extremely well but slowly and dos remain extremely elegant with a natural higher acidity. The 2019 fermented slowly and kept some sweetness. It can be qualified as moelleux.
Tasting notes
02/2021 : Bright yellow colour. The nose shows elegant white fruit (plums, pears), discreet floral character and soft spices. Windsbuhl can be slightly reductive some vintages (limestone influence) and with air, this wine eventually develops beautiful elegant exotic fruit character. Like all Windsbuhl, the wine oozes elegance and refinement. The palate is smooth, it feels light and airy, not imposing, but so persistent. The finish is harmonious and a great acidity becomes the main focus. The sweetness is palatable but almost disappears.
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.