Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
This is really deep and dense with a long, long finish. It's full-bodied plus has mineral, salt and dried fruits. Very powerful with a super finish that's generous and sexy.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The chalky, pithy expression of extract richness in Trimbach’s 2011 Riesling Clos Ste-Hune is much more typical of its type not to mention more backward than the impression conveyed by this vintage’s Frederic Emile. But I wouldn’t have expected quite such a carved-in-stone character from this vintage, one in which Frederic Emile too, in its distinctive way – not to mention the majority of Trimbach wines – excels. Piquancy of legume sprouts and fruit pits mingles with smoky, chalky and alkaline notes on a firm, polished palate, leading to an impressively sustained though slightly severe finish. It will suffice, I suspect, to taste this the next time after it is released in several years, and I would expect it to impress through at least 2028.
-
Wine Spectator
A broad and creamy white, with a firm frame of acidity that’s pleasingly juicy on the palate, enlivening flavors of white cherry, honeycomb and chamomile. Offers a racy finish of spice and flint. Drink now through 2030.
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.
Small but mighty, this picturesque region in northeastern France is renowned for its white wines produced by passionate families whose winemaking roots span generations and even centuries. Nestled between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, Alsace benefits from a sunny, dry climate and a long growing season. It is one of the most geologically diverse regions in the world — one of the many reasons why Alsace rocks!
Alsace wines include dry, mineral-driven Riesling, earthy Pinot Gris, refreshing Pinot Blanc, exuberant Gewurztraminer, elegant Pinot Noir, and more. From traditional-method sparkling wines to easy-drinking AOC Alsace, to complex Grand Cru bottlings from 51 distinct sites, and rich, late harvest wines, Alsace produces a wine for every occasion. Most Alsace wines are single-varietal bottlings and are labeled with the grape name. The region is also one of the greenest wine-producing areas in France, with 36% of its vineyard area certified organic.
Riesling, the region’s calling card, is dry, fresh and floral in its youth, developing complex mineral and flint character with age. Gewurztraminer is known for its signature spice and lychee aromatics. Pinot Gris is prized for its combination of crisp acidity and savory spice as well as ripe stone fruit flavors. Pinot Blanc is an affable food partner or porch sipper. Pinot Noir, the only red grape in AOC Alsace, is now authorized in three Grand Cru areas and is also used for Crémant d’Alsace sparkling rosé. Any bottle you choose will offer deliciousness, pleasure and value that is unprecedented in other wine regions.