Domaine Zind-Humbrecht : Riesling Grand cru "Hengst" 2022

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Riesling Grand Cru "Hengst" 2022 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Tasting

Appearance
The wine reveals a pale yellow hue, adorned with bright, luminous reflections.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with intense notes of ripe citrus and white-fleshed fruits. With aeration, subtle floral touches and a pronounced minerality enhance this complex olfactory palette.

Palate
The attack is ample and generous, revealing a dense and structured body. The palate is driven by vibrant acidity that perfectly balances the richness of the fruit. The long, persistent finish stretches out with noble bitterness and a salinity characteristic of its terroir of origin.

Serving and cellaring
To fully appreciate this great white wine, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. With exceptional aging potential, this 2022 vintage can be cellared until at least 2035 to reveal its full complexity.

The expression of a great marl-limestone terroir of Alsace

The estate
The Domaine Zind-Humbrecht was created in 1959 following the union of Léonard Humbrecht and Geneviève Zind, bringing together two Alsatian winemaking families. Located in Turckheim, near Colmar, the estate covers around 40 hectares spread across more than 100 plots in six villages of Alsace. Olivier Humbrecht has managed the estate since 1989, becoming that same year the first Frenchman to earn the Master of Wine title. A pioneer of biodynamic viticulture in Alsace, the estate has been certified organic since 1998 and biodynamic since 2002. His son Pierre-Émile Humbrecht joined the estate in 2019, representing the thirteenth generation of the family. Yields are deliberately limited to 30–40 hectoliters per hectare.

The vineyard
The Riesling Grand Cru "Hengst" 2022 from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht comes from the renowned terroir of Wintzenheim. This south- and southeast-facing hillside benefits from a warm, dry microclimate. The soils, composed of Oligocene marl and limestone, give the vines deep root systems. This singular geology allows the riesling grape variety to develop exceptional power and structure while maintaining a beautiful mineral tension.

The vintage
The year 2022 in Alsace was marked by hot, dry weather conditions. Despite this sunny climate, the old vines of Grand Cru Hengst were able to draw on the water reserves of the marl-limestone soils, producing grapes of great aromatic concentration while preserving remarkable balance and freshness.

Grape variety

100% riesling.