Technical presentation
| Bottling : | January 2022 |
|---|---|
| Acquired alcohol : | 13 ° |
| Residual sugar : | 0.5 g/l |
| Total acidity : | 3.7 g/l H2SO4 (5.7 g/l Tartrique) |
| pH : | 3.1 |
| Yield : | 65 hl/ha |
| Optimum tasting : | 2025-2035+ |
| Average age of vines : | 31 years |
| Terroir : | Clos Windsbuhl |
| Sweetness index : | 1 |
| Soil : | Muschelkalk calcareous, South East facing |
Description of the wine Zind 2020
In 1989, the western part of the Clos, the closest to the magnificent Erhlach forest, was planted with Chardonnay. We preferred this variety to the traditional Pinot-Blanc for a blend with Auxerrois, the other variety planted just opposite the Clos. These two grape varieties are early ripening, but above all, Chardonnay in a late situation such as Clos Windsbuhl, has the ability to retain a very good acidity. Today, most certainly, late ripening grape varieties would easily reach a good ripeness on the coolest part of the Clos, and in the current context, we would certainly have chosen Riesling and not Chardonnay. It would have been a shame because the Zind produced as a blend of Chardonnay and Auxerrois is also a very good indicator of this great limestone terroir. Unfortunately prohibited in still wine, Chardonnay must be declassified into Vin de France. As usual, this wine fermented for a whole year before becoming completely dry.
Tasting notes
08/2021 : Pale yellow color. The nose is still massively dominated by the influence of limestone, so the wine is still austere and tight today. As usual, this young Zind takes time to open up but eventually reveals fresh citrus aromatics and above all a sensation of wet stones. On the palate, we find the typical delicate aspect of the Windsbuhl wines which are characterized by an airy, lacy structure. All the energy of the wine is carried by a magnificent ripe and salivating acidity. We do not find the solar character of the vintage on this wine as it expresses character and lightness at the same time. The finish is long and salivating.
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.