Winemaker Notes
The nose is very typical of Rangen. It shows lots of smoke, flinty aromas, which almost appear reductive or at least very mineral. The nose says it clearly, this is Rangen wine, as tough as it can be at this early stage and as dry as possible. Certainly the bottling will open the wine, as it is still on lees today. The palate is very elegant and has just the right power to match the volcanic character. The finish is quite long, with almost smoky/grilled flavors. The ripe acidity brings elegance. This is a wine full of character and personality.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Served during a dinner at the Auberge de l'Ill in June 2016, Humbrecht's golden-yellow 2007 Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain showed rich and intense fruit aromas (stewed ripe apples) on the nose, intertwined with caramel flavors and delicate smoky/flinty notes in the background. This is a mouthful of elegant, transparent and finely salty Rangen Riesling with lemon and apple flavors in the very long finish. This bone dry Clos Saint Urbain is not heavy at all, but fresh, finessed and still very young.
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Wine Spectator
A dry white, powered by crackling acidity and zesty white pepper and spice. Orange granita and hints of grapefruit showcase a pleasant sweet- and sour-balance, with floral, honey and smoke notes. Good intensity carries through to the lingering finish. Drink now through 2020. 658 cases made.
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.