Some really nice deals on Zind Humbrecht

WINE TALK
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Click on the free shipping icon

No affiliation, yada, yada. Not sure why ZH wines so often get heavily discounted, but I am a buyer. Tried one Gewurtz and it was very good although I did not take formal notes. Half price and free shipping (apparently even for one bottle).

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Could have something to do with the extravagant pricing on release for many wines, and a lack of consistency.

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They are expensive and no one buys Alsatian wine. It’s been the same story everywhere I ever worked in the trade. Folks bought a bunch based on Parker scores and hated them, never came back. People who really like Alsatian wine tend to buy other things.

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Yup, Nathan…like GWT from the AltoAdige. I’m a big fan of old-timey Alsatian GWT. Zippy acidity, no RS, modest alcohol. I’m finding that many (like Abbazzia di Novacella) fill
that bill quite nicely. Plus they have that AA minerality that you don’t get in Alsace.
Tom

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I bought a bunch back in the late 90’s based on Parker scores. They tend to be low acid, high glycerine, and creamy. They often have honey type flavors one associates with sweet wines, although they are usually dry or slightly off-dry. I tried serving them with a number of different dishes. I thought one of the off-dry Rieslings paired okay with Turkey, but every single family member or guest of mine who ever tried the ZH’s, no matter the pairing, gave them a thumbs down. These are people who are generally very open to enjoying new things. I finally sold it all because for my palate, I can find wines that I enjoy more, are easier to pair with food at a fraction of the price which are also more appealing to guests.

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I will openly admit to really liking what they do with Gewurztraminer and Muscat, especially at the VT level.

I am not fond of what they do to Riesling (especially) and Pinot Gris.

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Thanks for the heads up, grabbed 3 of the Gewurtz. Grapes recently had the 02 Turkheim Gewurtz for a similar price, I’ve gone through nearly a case of them, they are delicious.

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Wow…a lot of enmity toward ZH wines. I’ve never been a fan, either. Too stylized and like Lafon used to be and Coche is , in Burgundy, too personable for my needs and tastes…and way overpriced as these characteristics make them the darlings of Michel Bettane and other wine writers…and trophy-wine seekers.

But, people do love all of them, so…it is a little unusual to see the sentiments on this thread.

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[cheers.gif]

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Hmmmmm…

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…that was weird.

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I’ve had some excellent wines from Zind-Humbrecht; their 1994 Muscat Goldert remains one of the best white wines I’ve ever had. I haven’t liked every single Z-H wine I’ve ever had, but I don’t think I’ve ever thought one of the was a lousy or poorly made wine.

Somewhere in there they did get expensive, although that might have been as much our market, and marketers, as anything else. I think it’s true that wines from Alsace, as a category, aren’t what you’d call flying off the shelves, but I still buy some Boxler, Weinbach, Mann (Riesling Schlossberg)…

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I like them paired with Indian food, but I think it’s undeniable that Olivier aims for an extreme style in his wines, especially if one is used to viewing Alsace from a Trimbach-style lens. But at least for my palate he can do some wonderful things - I had his 2004 Rangen Riesling paired with Donnhoff’s Oberhauser Brucke Spatlese from the same year about 18 months ago at a tasting, and the Z/H absolutely torched the Donnhoff. Not saying it will always be that way, and I guess it’s possible I caught the Donnhoff at an awkward moment, but even a self-professed Donnhoff fan at the tasting that night was in agreement about the superiority of the Z/H.

FWIW, I still have a few bottles of an '89 Tokay Pinot Gris left, and the last time I pulled a cork, it was nothing short of revelatory.

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Alsacian Pinot Gris and Riesling can be sublime to mind blowing but I must admit to not buying or drinking as many as in the past. Not keen on Gewurtz and muscat.

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His 2001 Riesling Clos Hauserer is on the other end of the spectrum, all salt and lime and margarita rim. Pretty delicious.

Depending on the vintage, the site and the botrytis these wines can be very rich, but I always find the VT’s in particular to be quite a treat.

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Margarita Riesling? I Must have this! [wow.gif] [cheers.gif]

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It’s the winemaking (or at least the picking decisions) not the vineyards that lead to the crap. Boxler makes magical wine from Brand.

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I may be alone here, or just weird, but I think ZH is often misunderstood in its youth- or maybe better said not really approachable-enjoyable. I for one really do not enjoy their PG when it is young, save at the SGN level or when it is from a racy leaning vintage. That said, PG is my least favorite Alsatian varietal. I usually find it clumsy and fat, and maybe ZH’s more than others’. That said, the same ZH wine I have found clumsy and fat at release has almost invariably become something very well balanced admittedly rich but very focused over time (meaning a decade +). A 90 Riesling Rangen recently was stellar. Also loved the 94 Goldert Muscat recently- bright fresh incredibly clean and mouthwatering. Also the 94 regular Herrenweg Gewurz recently was just beautiful: pungent, spicy and pure. I do admit to enjoying the SGN’s in their youth, but more so aged. I can see how ZH may not be everyone’s stick, but before you dismiss them altogether I’d strongly recommend grabbing a 15+ year from vintage regular bottling. It may surprise you.

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No. Those are all the “normal” tired arguments. Reminds me of Bob (or is it Gus McCrae [wink.gif] ) trashing CF. So you don’t like the style…why waste your time slowing down for the cheap shots? I’m sure Loren is gratified to have started this thread.

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Completely agree. I am not drinking anything more recent than 94s with the exception of 97 VVs (Vieilles Vignes) and 99 Windsbuhl Gewurz which is lean and not going anywhere better. Even on the Zind and Pinot D’Alsace which I buy as daily drinkers I am working on the 04s now. I do not like them young, Sam I am.