1997 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen Clos St. Urbain Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
The intensely golden colored 1997 Riesling Clos Saint-Urbain Rangen de Thann is fine but also intense on the elegant and aromatic nose that is autumn-toned, with ripe and stewed stone fruit (peach) aromas intermingling with tones of crushed dark stones and iodine. The Riesling was harvested at extreme high ripeness for dry wine yet totally healthy (yielding 39 hectoliters per hectare). Very elegant and refined on the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich and quite round (or sweet) but also structured, saline and persistently mineral Rangen with a long and vital yet also somewhat massive and saturating finish that tastes sweeter than the 1997 Rangen analytically is with its five grams per liter of residual sugar. Bottled in September of the following year with 13.9% alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in Wachenheim, Pfalz, on November 19 2023.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Deep green-gold. Warm, rich, full, pungent – Zind H? lacks a little racy acidity. A bit soft, dramatic but perhaps a bit rich to match with food and yet not sweet enough to really enjoy without food – and far too alcoholic to drink as an aperitif. Very long. (JR)
Smoky, flinty nose reminded me of pinot gris; certainly showing more Rangen terroir than riesling typicity today. Big, rich, layered and deep; dry and backward (even the high-acid '96 was more exuberant at this stage). Densely built and powerfully structured for aging. Very long, slow-building finish. This is better than the 1990 Rangen Riesling, says Olivier. Just 5 g/l r.s.
About the producer
Widely acknowledged as one of the legendary wineries in Alsace, the wines of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht are nothing short of magical. Certified organic and biodynamic, the estate crafts an extensive range of wines, including many Grand Cru and single-vineyard bottlings.