WTN: Hugel Riesling Jubilee 2007

2007 Hugel et Fils Riesling Jubilee - France, Alsace, Alsace AOC (7/30/2012)
40€; 13% abv; 7 g/l RS; 7,7 g/l acidity. From Schoenenbourg GC. At 5yo this is still as pale as water. It has just the slightest touch of petrol, and still seems rather primary with some nice, ripe citrus and mineral aromas. Quite rich and ripe but still tastes properly dry despite the 7 g/l RS, the acidity does show well on the finish but the attack is so broad and fruity that it doesn't have the laser sharp precision of e.g. Trimbach or Loew. I have very little experience with Hugel, but this bottle at least seemed like a very respectable dry Riesling. Needs age if, like me, you like a some non-primary aromas in Riesling.

Can anyone help me fill in my gaps of knowledge at least in theory: What kind of a producer is Hugel? Is it generally well regarded? And most important, do they tend to still make a drier style of wine or are they all over the place in terms of sweetness?

Very well regarded, I think, and yes, they seem to be a little drier than the norm. Not so much as Trimbach, but towards that spectrum. Their 'hommage' wines (their top dry wines) can be outstanding, and their TV and SGN sublime. Their tasting room is in the most touristy spot in Alsace - right in the middle of Riquewhir - but I've always found them to be very friendly to winelovers, even without appointments (much more so than Trimbach).

I liked the 2007 Jubliee when I tasted it a couple of months ago, at which time we also tasted a vertical of VT's and SGN's. Unfortunately, these were Gewurztraminers, and I thought they didn't live up to the hype and scores.

[David M. Bueker]

Echoing others' thoughts - Hugel is a well respected producer. I like the entire Jubilee line of wines, with a special fondness for the gewurztraminer. Looking at the analyticals on your bottle, I am not at all surprised that it showed dry but richly fruity. That's actually a pretty high level of acidity for Alsace in these globally warmed times.