Technical presentation
Bottling : | August 2022 |
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Acquired alcohol : | 14° |
Residual sugar : | 6.9 g/l |
Total acidity : | 3.6 g/l H2SO4 (5.6 g/l Tartrique) |
pH : | 3.6 |
Yield : | 40 hl/ha |
Optimum tasting : | 2026-2047+ |
Average age of vines : | 70 years |
Terroir : | Grand Cru Hengst |
Sweetness index : | 1 |
Available for sale : | Yes |
Soil : | Calcareous Marl from the Oligocene period, South/South East facing |
Description of the wine Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Hengst 2021
The Hengst Grand Cru has always been renowned for its ability to produce some of the most intense and structured Gewurztraminer in the region. The red Oligocen limestone allows for perfect tannic ripeness and can preserve great acidity, even in hot years like 2022. A small hailstorm end of June brought the yields down. At the time we were upset as the vines looked good. However, we now think that the rain was beneficial to the vineyard and regret not having the same storm on other areas. These very old vines (we think one of the two vineyards to be close to 100 years old) are planted with excellent massal selections, less aromatic than modern clones and so much more complex. They also have a deep roots which bring all the character of the vineyard in the wine. This Hengst fermented slowly and kept a medium sweet balance.
Tasting notes
01/2023 : Bright yellow gold colour. Intense and persistent delicate nose showing jasmine, wildflowers, subdued roses, green tea… and some spices. As usual, Hengst isn’t demonstrative on the nose in its youth. The aromatics are complex with little varietal influence. The nose also doesn’t prepare the taster to the intensity and power of the palate. There is an immediate vibrancy and acidity that bring an unsuspected structure and freshness, particularly noticeable on the finish. There is so much energy in this wine that the sweetness is almost completely hidden. What a fabulous bright wine !
The Hengst Grand Cru of Wintzenheim
The Hengst was first mentioned in the 9th century in an endowment of the Murbach Abbey. The lord of Haut Landsbourg as well as the bailiff of Kaysersberg shared the feudal rights up to the Great Revolution, whilst various noble families, abbeys and the bourgeoisie of Colmar exploited important parcels.