2005 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Hengst - France, Alsace, Wintzenheim, Alsace Grand Cru AOC (11/26/2009)
Beautiful color, showing a bit of a golden hue, spectacular nose, floral, rose petal, orange rind, fall spice, leading to a lush, exotic palate, oozing deep complex, slightly sweet fruit (Indice 3), finishing with waves of flavor and spice. Very nicely balanced, though in comparison to its explosive vibrancy on release this has turned more lush and rounded. Still a gorgeous wine, for my tastes I’d say its at peak, though will certainly go several years. I prefer the more youthful vibrant flavors and spice in Gewurz, unlike Riesling which I’m happy to see go longer. Opened as one accompaniment to Thanksgiving dinner, along with a 97 Dehlinger Pinot. (94 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
Alan,
Nice note on a nice wine. I tend to like them older. I think they develop a nuttiness that they don’t have at this age but, it sounds hard to resist now.
Scott, can’t really argue with that, except to say there are some wines that just grab you by the short ones on release. This was one of those, and while extremely enjoyable 2 years later, it doesn’t have that explosive zing that I remember so strongly any more. Some wines just do that, like 2007 Tempier Rose’, which just a year later is a shadow of its original self. Still, no complaints here, this was a fabulous wine. I have a couple more, so I’ll get to see what it does down the road.
Cheers
Alan,
I am with you regarding the idea that some wines just grip you by the husk right out of the gate. I bought a half case of the 06 Coudoulet de Beaucastel (I buy a bunch every year as I like this baby at roughly year 4 or 5) and grabbed one think it was the 99 I had stood up earlier. Of course, it was an 06 I had stood up and didn’t notice until it was opened. We let it stand all afternoon and then started into it after the kids were in bed. As a result of that showing and a child like lack of self discipline, we have 0 bottles left. It was just excellent everytime.
Sounds really good. Once I work through a little Nebbiolo exploration, Alsace is next on my list. Had an Albert Mann (sp) Pinot Gris last harvest that I can still vividly remember how it tasted and it’s gorgeous texture