Chardonnay and Auxerrois grapes come from Clos Windsbuhl Vineyard. The altitude of the vineyard coupled with the town of Hunawihr’s cooler climate means that the Clos Windsbuhl is often one of the last estate vineyards to be harvested. This explains the aromatic quality of the Clos’ wines and the consistent balance of acidity, a guarantee of good aging. Zind-Humbrecht’s dedication to terroir expression guides all winemaking practices, which include extended pressing cycles, abbreviated clarification cycles (to retain natural yeasts and proteins in the must), natural malolactic fermentation and extended aging on the lees. The wine is aged 8 months in 40-year-old French barrels.

91 Points
Wine Spectator
2018 vintage
93 Points
jamessuckling.com
2019 vintage
Tasting Note

The light, toasty aromas combine with herbs and white fruit, light smokiness and chalk on the nose. The elegant palate shows little sweetness.

Food Pairing

Hard cheeses, white meat or pasta in cream-based sauce.

Technical Data
GRAPES: Chardonnay and Auxerrois
Unique Selling Points
  • Certified Organic and Biodynamic
  • Uniquely creative white wine with surprising complexity
  • Unbroken winemaking lineage in Alsace since 1620
  • 93 points Suckling

Vineyard Details

Clos Windsbuhl
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht's Clos Windsbuhl Vineyard faces south to south-east. With its average to steep slope (between 15 and 40%), the small Windsbuhl hill is at a high altitude for Alsace (around 350 m). The vines grow in a limestone substrata dense with shells (muschelkalk) and rich in clays and chalky rock. The soil is very thin in certain areas and the country rock often outcrops in the middle of the slope. It is well worth noting that the Windsbuhl Vineyard lies on a soil structure quite different from the rest of the commune. The altitude of the vineyard coupled with Hunawihr’s tardy climate means that the Clos Windsbuhl is often one of the last of our domaine’s vineyards to be harvested. This explains the aromatic quality of the Clos’ wines and the consistent balance of acidity, a guarantee of good aging. Although often harvested late, Windsbuhl Vineyard grapes are only rarely botryitized, doubtless due to the altitude of the vineyard, but nevertheless often reach high levels of maturity.

About the Grape

Auxerrois
Auxerrois is often used in blends with Pinot Blanc, with which is it often compared, to yield still wines as well as Crémants d'Alsace. It lends body and an herbaceous, citrus character.
Chardonnay
Though it has a distinctive profile, Chardonnay reflects other factors such as soil composition and vinification technique. Chardonnay is a reliable, hardy and prolific vine whose only real vulnerabilities are frost and uneven development of fruit.
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