Zind-Humbrecht Brand Grand Cru Riesling 2011
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Sleek, briny acidity frames fresh quince, star fruit, melon rind and ground anise flavors, with guava and biscuit hints and a lacy texture. Dry and tangy, revealing a lasting note of fleur de sel on the finish. Drink now through 2025.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Wearing its extract and sense of density on its sleeve but by no means heavy-weight even at 14% alcohol, Zind-Humbrecht 2011 Riesling Brand (last tasted from cask) suggests both huckleberry and cassis along with bitter-sweet floral perfume and fresh citrus. With piquancy bordering on outright bitterness allied with sizzle of musky rose radish, only the sheer juiciness of this firm Riesling keeps it from being too austere. I suspect it will prove worth following through 2028, not to mention that generosity more typical of both its site and vintage will emerge over the next couple of years.
Range: 90-91+
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Certified Organic and Biodynamic.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
With its fairytale aesthetic, Germanic influence and strong emphasis on white wines, Alsace is one of France’s most unique viticultural regions. This hotly contested stretch of land running north to south on France’s northeastern border has spent much of its existence as German territory. Nestled in the rain shadow of the Vosges mountains, it is one of the driest regions of France but enjoys a long and cool growing season. Autumn humidity facilitates the development of “noble rot” for the production of late-picked sweet wines, Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles.
The best wines of Alsace can be described as aromatic and honeyed, even when completely dry. The region’s “noble” varieties, the only ones permitted within Alsace’s 51 Grands Crus vineyards, are Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, and Pinot Gris.
Riesling is Alsace’s main specialty. In its youth, Alsace Riesling is dry, fresh and floral, but develops complex mineral and flint character with age. Gewurztraminer is known for its signature spice and lychee aromatics, and is often utilized for late harvest wines. Pinot Gris is prized for its combination of crisp acidity and savory spice as well as ripe stone fruit flavors. Muscat, vinified dry, tastes of ripe green grapes and fresh rose petal.
Other varieties grown here include Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Chasselas, Sylvaner and Pinot Noir—the only red grape permitted in Alsace and mainly used for sparkling rosé known as Crémant d’Alsace. Most Alsace wines are single-varietal bottlings and unlike other French regions, are also labeled with the variety name.