WTN: 1997 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Windsbuhl

[David M. Bueker]

1997 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Windsbuhl - France, Alsace, Hunawihr, Alsace AOC (3/10/2007)
Pale gold color. Aromas mostly in the mineral family, with a bit of petrol. There's some pear and apple fruit and a bit of fruit blossom in there as the wine warms up, but it's still very much mineral dominated. On the palate it's dry (that was surprising) with minerals dominating, but in a relatively rich matrix. The mouthfeel is broad, though the finishing acids are very precise and clean. An interesting wine and one that seems to need to be drunk up soon to avoid complete austerity.

David,
Thanks for the note. I think the Clos Windbuhl is one of ZHs most fascinating sites. Though there are many ZH haters out there, I think there would be less if people held the wines longer before drinking. The youthful arrogance associated with Humbrechts style often subsides into a very special bottle. What are your thoughts?

[David M. Bueker]

Well Bill...I haven't bought a bottle of Z-H since the '99 vintage. I'm pretty much drinking up my stock, as the prices have outstripped the value (same with Weinbach). I am a fan of their Gewurztraminer, but not of their Rieslings, as I tend to find them too big (I used the term broad in the note above). Even older they do not lose that.

I have a '95 Brand Riesling VT in the cellar that will come out soon. I'm very interested in how that wine will show.